Thursday, September 5
El Paso, TX
4:00 pm MT
Air Force Academy
vs
Stephen F. Austin
Photo by: Justin Pacheco
Air Force Heads to Texas for Borderland Invitational
9/3/2024 5:09:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
The Air Force volleyball team heads out on the road this week, as it travels to El Paso, Texas, for the Borderland Invitational on September 5-7. The Falcons, 1-1 on the short season, will face Stephen F Austin, UTEP, and Southeastern Louisiana during its first trip away from the Academy this season.
MATCH INFORMATION
The Borderland Invitational, which includes Air Force, Southeastern Louisiana, Stephen F Austin, and UTEP, will be held at the University of Texas, El Paso's Memorial Gym on Sept 5-7. Live stats will be available for all three matches, while the Falcons' match against SFA will be streamed on YouTube and their contest against UTEP will be broadcast on ESPN+ (direct links are available on Air Force's schedule page.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Stephen F Austin, who will host High Point prior to its contest with the Falcons, went 3-0 during their opening weekend at the Bearkat Invitational– sweeping Incarnate Word and Prairie View, before taking a four-set win over host Sam Houston. Backed by sweeps of Green Bay and Utah State, UTEP went 2-1 at the Utah Classic during its first week of action – its only loss coming against tournament host Utah (0-3). Southeastern Louisiana , who also played in the Beehive State last week, is looking for their first win of the year (0-3), following losses to #16 BYU (0-3), High Point (2-3) and Fairfield (1-3) at the Cougar Classic.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Falcons have limited experience with most of this weekend's lineup, having faced both Stephen F Austin (1989, 0-3) and Southeastern Louisiana (2001, 0-3) just once before. Air Force is 2-3 all-time against UTEP, with their last competition coming as WAC opponents in 1997.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
With a 15.50 per-set average, Air Force led the Mountain West in digs during the first weekend, while Mekayla Dedo (fifth, 3.40) and Jordan Suan (eighth, 3.17) were ranked among the league's top 10. The Falcons are also ranked among the top-five in service aces (third, 1.67) and opponent hitting (fourth, 169). Individually, Mac Russ is ranked among the MW top five in hitting (third, 458) and blocking (fourth, 1.33).
WIN #1
Macey Donathan picked up Win #1 during her head coaching debut on Friday, Aug 30, as Air Force swept Fordham by 25-21, 25-20, 25-18 decisions. Donathan is the eighth Air Force coach to win a coaching debut.
HITTING A MILESTONE
Mac Russ recorded the 300th block of her career during the South Dakota match on Sept 1 – a tally that moved her into fifth on the Falcons' Division I career standings. Having a hand in seven stops over the two-match weekend, the senior also moved up to No. 5 on the program's career standings for DI assisted blocks with 254.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force returns to the Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 10, to begin a home-and-home series with Denver at 6:00 p.m. (MT). The Falcons will travel to Denver for a rematch with the Pioneers on Sept. 12, before facing Northern Colorado in a neutral site match on Sept 13.
MATCH INFORMATION
The Borderland Invitational, which includes Air Force, Southeastern Louisiana, Stephen F Austin, and UTEP, will be held at the University of Texas, El Paso's Memorial Gym on Sept 5-7. Live stats will be available for all three matches, while the Falcons' match against SFA will be streamed on YouTube and their contest against UTEP will be broadcast on ESPN+ (direct links are available on Air Force's schedule page.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Stephen F Austin, who will host High Point prior to its contest with the Falcons, went 3-0 during their opening weekend at the Bearkat Invitational– sweeping Incarnate Word and Prairie View, before taking a four-set win over host Sam Houston. Backed by sweeps of Green Bay and Utah State, UTEP went 2-1 at the Utah Classic during its first week of action – its only loss coming against tournament host Utah (0-3). Southeastern Louisiana , who also played in the Beehive State last week, is looking for their first win of the year (0-3), following losses to #16 BYU (0-3), High Point (2-3) and Fairfield (1-3) at the Cougar Classic.
BY THE NUMBERS
The Falcons have limited experience with most of this weekend's lineup, having faced both Stephen F Austin (1989, 0-3) and Southeastern Louisiana (2001, 0-3) just once before. Air Force is 2-3 all-time against UTEP, with their last competition coming as WAC opponents in 1997.
AROUND THE CONFERENCE
With a 15.50 per-set average, Air Force led the Mountain West in digs during the first weekend, while Mekayla Dedo (fifth, 3.40) and Jordan Suan (eighth, 3.17) were ranked among the league's top 10. The Falcons are also ranked among the top-five in service aces (third, 1.67) and opponent hitting (fourth, 169). Individually, Mac Russ is ranked among the MW top five in hitting (third, 458) and blocking (fourth, 1.33).
WIN #1
Macey Donathan picked up Win #1 during her head coaching debut on Friday, Aug 30, as Air Force swept Fordham by 25-21, 25-20, 25-18 decisions. Donathan is the eighth Air Force coach to win a coaching debut.
HITTING A MILESTONE
Mac Russ recorded the 300th block of her career during the South Dakota match on Sept 1 – a tally that moved her into fifth on the Falcons' Division I career standings. Having a hand in seven stops over the two-match weekend, the senior also moved up to No. 5 on the program's career standings for DI assisted blocks with 254.
WHAT'S ON DECK
Air Force returns to the Academy on Tuesday, Sept. 10, to begin a home-and-home series with Denver at 6:00 p.m. (MT). The Falcons will travel to Denver for a rematch with the Pioneers on Sept. 12, before facing Northern Colorado in a neutral site match on Sept 13.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Volleyball
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