Black Knights Fall to Air Force in the Pentagon

Friday, September 1

Washington, DC

10 AM

Army West Point

2-2

Air Force

3-2

Army

Air Force

Black Knights Fall to Air Force in the Pentagon

September 01, 2017 | Volleyball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. -- The Army West Point volleyball team suffered a 3-0 setback to Air Force Friday morning at the Pentagon Invitational.

"It was a mental game," said head coach Alma Kovaci Lee. "When you play an academy it is all about being focused, being mentally tough and allowing yourself to focus on volleyball. Our emotions got the best of us today. I have to give credit to Air Force. After a tough loss to Navy, they came to fight and controlled their emotions better than us. We will continue to fight and get better each match."

HIGHLIGHTS AND MATCH NOTES

The Black Knights and Falcons were deadlocked with 44 points apiece and a 5-5 tie in blocks, but Air Force's 33-30 assist advantage and 22-19 dig lead helped the team to victory.
Vanessa Wesley and Carolyn Bockrath teamed up as the most impactful on Army's end of the match. Wesley produced 13 points on 12 kills and two block assists, while Bockrath posted 12 in the match with a .500 hitting percentage.
Nikki Lum notched 12 assists in the game, while Jaden Pickell had a team-leading four digs.
Pickell and Bockrath both had two service aces and Ellie Petersen recorded one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Falcons came out strong with a 13-10 lead in the first set to force an Army timeout.
The Black Knights maintained a close hold on Air Force and trailed 22-20. The Falcons secured the next three points however to win the first set 25-20.
In the second set, the Black Knights were forced to take a timeout break when Air Force jumped ahead 19-13, but the Falcons continued on to win set two, 25-20. Air Force claimed set three 25-22 to clinch the match.
It is the first time since 2004 that the Falcons have defeated the Cadets.

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