Air Force Academy

Taking to the road for the first time this season, the Air Force volleyball team makes a cross-country trek to Williamsburg, Va., for the William and Mary Invitational this weekend (Sept. 1-2). The Falcons open the tournament on Friday, facing Norfolk State at 11 a.m. (EST). Air Force will also face St. John's and Stony Brook, before concluding the weekend with host school William and Mary at 7:30 p.m. (EST) on Saturday.

NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS
2006 Record: 1-2
Head Coach: Allison Millette-Sparrow
Series Record: First Meeting
Who to Watch: Karina Moore (3.6 kpg)
Notables: Return all six starters from last season.

ST. JOHN'S RED STORM
2006 Record: 3-0
Head Coach: Joanne Persico-Smith
Series Record: First Meeting
Who to Watch: Patti Hardimon (4.6 kpg), Hui Ping Huang (4.0 kpg)
Notables: Averaged 53.3 kills per game in first tournament

STONY BROOK SEAWOLVES
2006 Record: 3-0
Head Coach: Deborah Matejka-DesLauriers
Series Record: First Meeting
Who to Watch: Morgan Sweany (4.6 kpg), Kaitlyn Deutsch (11.5 apg)
Notables: Hit over .200 in two of three matches.

WILLIAM & MARY TRIBE
2006 Record: 0-3
Head Coach: Debbie Hill
Series Record: William & Mary leads 2-0
Who to Watch: Lindsey Pflugner (3.9 kpg), Kim Mount (12.0 apg)
Notables: Posted a 22-9 record last season.

THE AIR FORCE FORMULA: The Falcons' 2006 season is comprised of a unique formula ... six athletes with collegiate playing experience, two that saw time on the practice squad, one walk-on and 12 freshmen.

HOME SWEET (NEW) HOME: The Falcons made their 2006 debut at the Academy on Aug. 28. It is the first time since 2000 that Air Force has opened the season at home.

AND THE STREAK CONTINUES: In the season-opening match against Morgan State, Air Force continued its streak of having a freshman in the starting rotation. Of course, that isn't a difficult feat considering that the freshmen class out-numbers the returning players by a 2-to-1 margin.

THE LEADER OF THE PACK: Junior Kim Kallabis, the most experienced returning player, was chosen as captain of the 2006 squad. She becomes the first non-senior to hold the captain title outright since Katherine Dehne in 1997.

THE LONE STAR STATE OF MIND: And after a season without a single Texan on the roster, the Lone Star State is well represented by a quartet of freshmen in Michelle Harrington, Danielle Mittelstadt, Kiersten Thompson and Vanessa Warwick.

BEHIND THE BENCH: Penny Lucas-White is entering her 11th season with the Falcons, remaining Air Force's only coach in the Division I era. She will be joined by Verna Julaton, who has also spent over a decade on the Falcons' sidelines as an assistant coach. Joining the Falcons' staff this season is assistant coach Kyle Robinson, who spent two successful terms with the U.S. National Team. The full-time trio will be backed by Maj. Ferrelle Smith, who will serve as the Falcons' volunteer coach for the third straight season.