Aug. 24, 2009
The 2009 volleyball season will commence this weekend (Aug. 28-29) for Air Force, as the squad travels to Philadelphia, Pa., for the La Salle Invitational. The Falcons will face four relatively unknown opponents at La Salle's Tom Gola Arena, including one first-time opponent and two that they haven't faced since their days at the NCAA Division II level.
Match Notes 01: Air Force at La Salle Invitational 
CHECKING OUT THE SCHEDULE
Air Force opens tournament action on Friday, Aug. 28, against Cleveland State (1 p.m.) and host La Salle (5 p.m.). The Falcons will then face Fairleigh Dickinson (9 a.m.) and Canisius (1 p.m.) on Saturday, Aug. 29.
HISTORY 101
Air Force doesn't have a lot of history with any of its upcoming foes, holding just a 2-1 combined lifetime record against them. In fact, the Falcons have only seen one of the four opposing teams since the 1982 season, defeating Fairleigh Dickinson, 3-0, in 1998. Air Force, which has never faced Canisius, last played Cleveland State (0-3) and La Salle (2-0) during the 1981-82 seasons at the Division II level.
OPPONENT QUICK HITS
All four of the Falcons' opponents are making their season debut this weekend. Cleveland State finished the 2008 season with an 11-19, while La Salle posted a 6-24 record last year. Fairleigh Dickinson (17-14) and Canisius (17-11) both finished last season with winning records, with Canisius finishing third in the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
COMING FROM ALL CORNERS
Air Force added eight freshmen from around the country to the 2009 roster. The Falcons added a pair from California (Grace Konstanzer, Jackie Bringman) and another pair from Texas (Dani Griffith, Maiya Perich), as well as cadet-athletes from Florida (Julianne Haun), Illinois (Briana Jones), Montana (Preslee Maki) and Utah (Maile Lolohea).
OUR STATS CAN'T HELP YOU
Opponents will have a hard time using last year's stats to prepare for the Falcons during the early stages of the 2009 campaign. Due to several high-scoring departures, the Falcons will be without 49-percent of their offensive output and 43-percent of its defensive digs.
IT'S ALL ABOUT CONNECTIONS
Preslee Maki is the daughter of Air Force football All-American and Academy record-holder for tackles in a game, season and career, Terry Maki. She is one of five Falcons to have family connections to the Air Force Academy. Michelle Harrington's grandfather is an Academy graduate, as is Caroline Kurtz's older brother. Maiya Perich's older brother is currently a junior at the Academy, while Emily Frick's younger sister is in her freshman year.
HOME SWEET HOME?!?
The Falcons open the 2009 season with 14 consecutive road matches - a far cry from the 13-match homestand that started the 2008 campaign. In addition to not playing at home until Sept. 24, Air Force only sees the inside of Clune Arena on nine occasions this year. The Falcons will host all eight conference opponents and local rival Northern Colorado during the 2009 season.
LEADING THE WAY
Senior Michelle Harrington will serve as the Falcons' captain during the 2009 season. She is the first solo captain since 2006 and the 22nd in the program's 32-year history.
FALCONS PICKED NINTH IN MWC POLL
With 17 points, Air Force was picked to finish ninth in the Mountain West Conference in the annual preseason poll, compiled by the league's coaches and select media. Utah was picked to win the league title, claiming eight of the 17 first-place votes and 138 points. Colorado State finished second in the voting with 135 points, while New Mexico was picked third with 112 points. BYU (96 points) and TCU (89) were ranked fourth and fifth, respectively. UNLV (87), San Diego State (53), Wyoming (38) and Air Force (17) rounded out the preseason poll.
