LARAMIE, Wyo. (Nov. 3, 2015) — Coming off two straight-set victories, the Cowgirl volleyball team will embark on its final two-match road trip to square off against New Mexico and Air Force this weekend. Wyoming will continue its Mountain West slate by taking on the Lobos at 7 p.m., MT on Thursday before an 11 a.m. matchup with Air Force on Saturday.
“We are continuing to prepare to make sure that we will be ready to execute at a high level on the road this weekend,” UW head coach Chad Callihan said. “Teams in the Mountain West have played great at home this season and we know how athletic and talented both of these teams are. We have a lot of respect for the two of them and know they typically do well at home.”
The Cowgirls continue to play solid defense in MW action and not only lead the nation in total blocks, with 272 on the season, but also rank 16th nationally in opponent hitting percentage (.156). The duo of Reed Copeland and Laura Beach lead Wyoming at the net, with both of them ranked nationally in blocks per set and total blocks. Copeland is tied for second in the NCAA with 141 total blocks and third with 1.64 per set. She is one of two freshman in the top-10 in each category. Beach has 105 total blocks for 1.18 per set and is also leading the Cowgirls with a .348 hitting percentage.
Courtney Chacon has for the most part orchestrated the offensive attack for the Cowgirls. She has led the team in assists 19 times this season and has a team-high 477 total assists. Bridget Shanahan is five kills from becoming just the 12th Cowgirl in school history to record at least 1,000 career kills. Shanahan is one of six Cowgirls with triple-digit kills on the season. Kayla Slofkiss leads UW with ten double-doubles and 230 kills. Allison Waldvogel has been nothing short of steady in the back row. She has 398 digs this season, seventh best in single-season history for Wyoming.
New Mexico has won five-straight matches and seven of the last nine at home. Devanne Sours averages 3.01 kills per set, which is ninth best in the MW, while Simone Henderson is fifth in the league in hitting percentage. Hannah Johnson is third with 869 assists on the season, as Skye Gullatt has 106 blocks on the year, an average of 1.28 per set.
Wyoming has won 22 of the last 23 against Air Force, including four straight. Akokwe Clement has 377 kills this season and the second best per set average in the MW with 3.81. Taylor Parker is eighth and ninth in the conference for hitting percentage and blocks per set, respectively. Rebecca Bates has 329 digs on the year.