ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- After the teams split the first two sets, Air Force built leads in the middle of sets three and four that Navy could not dent as the Falcons (4-0) won a four-set decision (28-26, 23-25, 25-22, 25-17) from the Mids (2-2), Friday night at the Wesley A. Brown Field House in Annapolis.  The match closed day one of the Kristen Dickmann Invitational.

"Credit Air Force for a complete performance," said Navy head coach Paco Labrador.  "Their servers never really allowed us to become comfortable."

Set One
Navy built a trio of four-point leads at 15-11, 16-12 and 17-13.  The margin was down to one point at 20-19 before it grew to 23-20.  Air Force scored the ensuing four points to reach set point at 24-23.  Navy scored back-to-back points to take a 25-24 lead and also serve for the frame.  An Air Force block extended play, but a service error by the Falcons gave the Mids another serve for the set at 26-25. An Air Force kill followed by two Navy hitting errors gave the set to the visitors.

Set Two
Navy held the largest lead of the set for either team at three points at 16-13 and 20-17 and then again at 23-20.  Just as in set one, Air Force responded and very quickly the score was tied at 23-23.  A kill by Emerson Lionberger and a block by Lionberger and Julia Humphrey were enough for the Mids to even the match at one set each.

Set Three
Another close frame had Navy in front by the slimmest of margins at 15-14.  Air Force proceeded to go on a 3-0 and 6-1 run to take a 20-16 lead.  A Navy kill was followed by back-to-back points by the Falcons to make the score 23-17, which was enough of a cushion for them to win the set.

Set Four
Air Force went on a 6-1 run in the middle of the set to take a 15-11 lead.  Navy chipped away and drew to within one point at 16-15 only to see the Falcons soon build a 22-16 advantage.

Statistical Summary
Air Force led Navy in kills (61-47) and attack percentage (.278-.190) for the match.  This included leads of 28-22 in kills and .333-.200 in hitting percentage in the last half of the evening.

Caroline Buffum led Navy with 14 kills and her freshman classmate Ellen Gundlach contributed 10.  Ally Alessio grabbed 13 digs, setter Isa Boyd had 11 digs and both Humphrey and Ava Toppin had five blocks.

"We rely on balance and we certainly were far too predictable tonight.  We asked a lot from our two freshman hitters, and they handled their first service academy match pressure well.  I'm happy to have early season matches where the game doesn't come easily to us and we have to find a way to win.  This learning moment will pay dividends down the road."

Up Next
Navy will play George Mason Saturday at 6 p.m. and Wake Forest Sunday at 3 p.m to finish out play at the tournament.