Colorado State University Athletics
Colorado State
Air Force
Volleyball Sweeps Air Force
11/2/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 2, 2006
The Colorado State volleyball continued its winning streak with a three-game sweep over the Air Force Falcons in Moby Arena, 30-21, 30-17, 30-26, giving the Rams their 11th straight victory. Colorado State is now 16-6 on the year and 10-2 in Mountain West Conference play, while the Falcons fall to 3-20 on the year and 0-12 in league action.
Using a 6-2 (six attackers, two setters) offense for the first time since 2002, Colorado State rested setter Ashley Fornstrom and had the two seniors on the squad, Lindsey Hillegass and Katherine Whitney split the setting duties. Hillegass notched a career-high 20 assists in her first role as a setter for the Rams, while Whitney tallied 22 assists, along with nine kills and seven digs.
Freshman middle blocker Tessa Nelson led the Rams with 10 kills, while both sophomore Mekana Barnes and Whitney added nine. Freshman libero Katelin Batten led the team with 12 digs, while both Whitney and Nelson had four blocks and junior Amanda Fahnestock had a match-high three aces.
"There can be nothing but positives to come out of it (a new offensive scheme)," said Head Coach Tom Hilbert. "I wanted to rest Ashley and we could have done a lot of things and felt this was the best way. I want to give credit to Jenni (Hirneisen). Jenni was great, in game two especially. She did smart things and served very well tonight."
Air Force was led by freshman outside hitter Katie Batchelder with 11 kills and two aces, while sophomore Rebecca Gerton led the team with 12 digs and middle blocker Michelle Harrington had three blocks, including two solos on the evening.
The win was the 99th in Mountain West Conference history for the Rams and with the next, CSU will become the first team in league history to reach that milestone.
Colorado State plays its final road matches in Mountain West play this season, traveling to San Diego State on Friday and playing at UNLV on Sunday. The match against the Aztecs is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. Pacific, while the match against the Rebels is slated for 3:00 p.m.
