Sept. 16, 2005
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Final Stats
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Navy volleyball team picked up a milestone victory Friday night, defeating Air Force for the first time in the program's history on the opening night of the All-Armed Forces Tournament. The Midshipmen (6-3) defeated the Falcons (3-8), 30-24, 22-30, 30-27, 30-23 in Clune Arena on the campus of the Air Force Academy.
"It was a great win for this team," said Navy head coach Mike Schwob. "The girls played hard and never lost their composure against a talented team and a tough crowd. We have had trouble finishing matches this season, but I feel those matches helped better prepare us for tonight."
Navy entered the match having lost each of the previous eight times the Mids had faced the Falcons and had never won more than one game in any of those matches. In addition, Air Force had swept Navy in each of the previous three matches played in Colorado Springs.
"Our focus all week was never on trying to accomplish something a Navy team hadn't done before," said Schwob. "Our goal was always on improving our current team and preparing us better for the upcoming Patriot League season."
The Mids totaled a .239 hitting percentage in the match, while recording 14 team blocks to hold the Falcons to a .112 percentage.
Navy freshman Jessie Sims (Etowah, N.C.), the reigning Patriot League Rookie of the Week, led all players with 18 kills in the match and added 17 digs to tie for match-high honors with Kristina Stewart of Air Force. Sims also added three aces and recorded a .326 hitting percentage.
Megan Boyd (Jr., Richmond, Va.) also continued her very strong play for the Mids, tallying 10 kills, no attack errors, a .625 hitting percentage and five blocks. Beth McArthur (Jr., Roseville, Minn.) totaled nine kills, 13 digs and seven blocks, while Colorado Springs native Nikki England (So.) knocked down 10 kills.
Navy will remain in Colorado Springs to face The Citadel Saturday evening at 6:30 p.m. EDT.
"This weekend is very similar to a Patriot League weekend," said Schwob. "No matter whether you win or lose on Friday, you have to place those emotions behind you and prepare for another tough, emotional match Saturday. The teams which go to the playoffs in our league are the ones who are able to win two matches on a weekend."
