Navy Volleyball Prepares for Next Challenge
Match Recap: Navy vs. Air Force
In a closely contested match held on the evening of September 6, 2025, Navy’s volleyball team fell to Air Force in four sets during the Kristen Dickmann Invitational. The final scores were 28-26, 23-25, 25-22, and 25-17.
Head Coach Paco Labrador commended Air Force for their performance, noting, “Their servers never really allowed us to become comfortable.”
Set Breakdown
- Set One: Navy led early with four-point advantages but ultimately lost as Air Force rallied from trailing to win.
- Set Two: After trailing, Navy made a comeback to win 25-23, thanks to key kills from Emerson Lionberger.
- Set Three: After a close start, Navy could not maintain momentum, allowing Air Force to secure the set.
- Set Four: Similar to previous sets, Navy closed the gap but could not overcome Air Force’s strong finish.
Statistical Summary
Air Force outperformed Navy in several key metrics:
- Kills: Air Force 61 – Navy 47
- Attack Percentage: Air Force .278 – Navy .190
Caroline Buffum led the Navy squad with 14 kills, supported by Ellen Gundlach who added 10. Defensively, Ally Alessio recorded 13 digs, while setter Isa Boyd added 11.
Coach Labrador reflected on the match by stating, “We were far too predictable tonight,” indicating a need for strategic adjustments moving forward.
Up Next: Match Against George Mason
Following this match, Navy will also face Wake Forest on Sunday at 3 p.m. to conclude their participation in the tournament.
