Air Force volleyball achieved a straight-set victory over New Mexico on Saturday in Albuquerque, marking their first win at the Johnson Center since 2003 and their first in the city since 2019. The Falcons won with set scores of 25-12, 25-22, and 25-22.
The team was led by sophomore Grace Fiaseu, who recorded a season-high four service aces. Six different players contributed at least one ace as Air Force totaled a season-best 11 service aces during the match. Mia Loyd and Alysa Walker each added two aces, while Sam Pope, Ashley Bible, and Jordan Suan had one apiece.
Ashley Bible and Alysa Walker combined for more than half of the team’s kills—Bible finished with 13 and Walker with 12 out of Air Force’s total of 41 kills. Senior Alex Hatchett contributed eight kills with an efficient .538 hitting percentage. Freshman Sam Pope led in assists with 18, while Loyd added 14 assists and registered a team-high 11 digs for her tenth double-double this season. Sonia Okpara led defensively with four blocks.
New Mexico opened scoring but lost momentum after an attacking error that sent Pope to serve. Her time at the line sparked a decisive ten-point run for Air Force in the first set. The Falcons maintained control throughout the match despite some rallies from New Mexico.
In the second set, Air Force established an early lead before New Mexico tied it up midway through. However, key plays from Fiaseu and others allowed Air Force to regain control and secure another close win.
The third set saw both teams trading points until Air Force pulled ahead following contributions from Bible and Okpara. Despite a late surge by New Mexico, Hatchett closed out the match for Air Force’s sweep—their first against New Mexico since 2019.
After two weeks on the road, Air Force (now at an even record of 12-12 overall and 4-8 in conference play) will return home for its final homestand beginning November 6 against San Jose State.
