Skyhawks Volleyball Game Day Notes

Friday, Sept. 25 Vs. UCCS | 7 p.m.
Whalen Gymnasium | Durango, Colo.
Live Stats
Video

Saturday, Sept. 26 Vs. MSU Denver | 5 p.m.
Whalen Gymnasium | Durango, Colo.
Live Stats
Video

After playing their first 10 matches away from Whalen Gymnasium, the Fort Lewis College volleyball team will open their home season this weekend against Rocky Division opponents University of Colorado Colorado Springs and MSU Denver.
 
UCCS enters the weekend 6-5 overall and 1-1 in the league, while the Roadrunners are 3-7 overall and 1-1 in the RMAC.
 
The Skyhawks hold a tight 24-23 all-time series lead over the Mountain Lions.  UCCS has won the last 10 matches.  The last time the Skyhawks defeated UCCS was Oct. 13, 2007 at home (W, 3-1).
 
MSU Denver owns a 31-10-2 lead over Fort Lewis.  The Skyhawks have won four of 13 matches against the Roadrunners when playing at home.  The last time FLC defeated the Roadrunners was at home on Oct. 25, 2013.
 
Fort Lewis College opened the 2015 RMAC season at Chadron State College and Regis University last weekend.
 
Friday's 3-0 loss to the Eagles snapped a seven game winning streak against CSC. The Skyhawks hold a 22-9 all-time series record against Chadron State, and a 6-5 record when playing the Eagles on their home court.   The last time the two teams met was Oct. 12, 2013 at CSC (FLC won, 3-0).
 
The Rangers have a 28-8 series lead over the Skyhawks.  FLC is 3-12 when facing RU on their home court. RU has won the last eight matchups against the Skyhawks.  The last time the Skyhawks defeated Regis was Oct. 2, 2008 (3-2).  The last time FLC defeated the Rangers on their home court was Oct. 2, 2005 (3-0).
 
Fort Lewis ranks fourth in the league in digs (16.51 average), sixth in service aces (1.38 average), and 10th in opponent hitting percentage (.211).
 
Libero Ally Dell'Amico is averaging 4.76 digs per set this season (176 total), the third highest average in the RMAC.
 
Gabriella Hickman's 11 aces this season (0.34 aces per set) are the ninth most in the conference.
 
The Skyhawks are 3-4 when playing in four set matches and 0-3 in three-set matches.  They have yet to play a five set match.
 
The Skyhawks are averaging 9.9 kills per set with a .125 attack percentage. 
 
Matisse Monty and Gabriella Hickman were named to the 2015 OPSU Aggies Challenge All-Tournament Team.
 
Eight student-athletes return from last year's program: Rachel Hendrick, Ally Dell'Amico, Shelby Lehman, Lindley Gallegos, Hannah Hargrove and Emily Dellenbach.  Bella Bernazzani and Clara Salopek redshirted as true freshman.
 
 The Skyhawks return three starters from last year's team: Shelby Lehman and Emily Dellenbach, including libero Ally Dell'Amico.
 
The 2015 roster features nine newcomers: freshmen Alyssa Cortez, Gabriella Hickman, Maddie LeBlanc, Hannah Martinez, Matisse Monty, Johannah Peterson and Kendra Swackenberg, and junior Nicole Williams.  Delaney Scanlan transfers into the program from South Mountain Community College.
 
Head coach Kelley Rifilato is in her third year at the helm of the program.  She has guided the Skyhawks to an 18-36 overall record in her first two years.
 
Assisting head coach Kelley Rifilato is first year assistant coach Gabriella Hochanadel.  Hochanadel is the daughter of Rifilato.  She played for her mother at Bayfield High School before becoming an all-conference setter at Adams State University.  Tessa Andrews also enters her third year on the sidelines with Rifilato.  Andrews was an All-RMAC performer at Mesa State College (now Colorado Mesa University) from 2007-2010.