COLORADO SPRING, Co. – Heading across the country to Colorado to open the 2024 campaign, an back-and-forth three sets Friday night would see Fordham Volleyball fall in straight sets to Air Force, despite strong play throughout the three frames.
Both sides would look to find their footing in the first real game action of 2024 for either side, staying neck-and-neck for much of the opening stanza, with Air Force taking a close one 25-21. The Rams gained the upper hand early in set two, but a late rally by the Falcons saw them take a five point win to go up two sets in the match. Air Force would take control early in the third frame, and despite a strong comeback by the Rams down the stretch, would pull away and defend their lead to take the win in straight sets.
The veterans would lead the attack to open the 2024 campaign as Whitley Moody and Audrey Brown would combine for over 70 hitting attempts while tallying 13 and 9 kills respectively. Moody would hit an impressive .344 on the night finishing one dig shy of a double-double to lead the team in that category as well. Sophia Kuyn would tally four kills while sitting tied with Brown for the team lead with three block assists, while Whitney Woodrow would pace the assist numbers with 13, ahead of 11 from Mackenzie Colvin.
In this the first season allowing two liberos into the starting lineup for each set, the Rams initial starting-eight would feature three new faces, including Özge Özaslan who would start in the inverted jersey alongside Ryan Naumann. Kuyn and Bridget Woodruff would also make their collegiate debuts to round out the freshmen starters, while amongst the returners Moody and Brown would start at the pins, with Tatum Holderied opposite Kuyn in the middle, and Woodrow would start the game at setter. In all the Rams would rotate 13 players over the course of Friday night's action, with Mila Micunovic also making her first collegiate appearance for the Rams.
Air Force would take a slim lead early, but the Rams would keep things within reach and go point for point as they brought themselves back level ten points into the match. From there the teams would stay deadlocked through to the media timeout, with Air Force leading 15-14, and neither side garnering more than a three-point lead to that period in the opening set. From there the Falcons would start to pull away and though the Rams cut back into it late, Air Force would take a slip four-point win to take set one.
Despite another close set in the second, Fordham would take a lead and defend it from there, building a four-point cushion on multiple occasions through the midway point in the frame. Air Force would work their way back however, cutting the Rams' lead back to one, and went on to take a 20-17 lead late, and go on to take the set by five and pull ahead two sets to none.
Taking their biggest lead towards the middle stages of the third set, Air Force would pull away with a strong advantage, and held off a late rally by Fordham to take a straight set victory over the Rams on opening night.
The Rams close the Amy Svoboda Memorial Classic tomorrow night as the Rams take on South Dakota at 7:00 p.m. EDT (5:00 p.m. MST). Coverage will be available on the Mountain West Network, while live stats can be accessed via StatBroadcast.
