The Canisius volleyball team opened the Billiken Invitational with a three-set loss to the Air Force Academy on Friday afternoon. The Golden Griffins lost 25-19, 25-20, 25-13 to the Falcons.

Sophomores Jacklyn Malusa led Canisius with eight kills while fellow sophomore Katlyn Tyler had seven kills. Junior Rachel Kline had six kills and nine digs. Junior Grace Streicher posted 22 assists in the match.

"That was our worst match of the season in execution, tactics and emotionally," Canisius coach Cathy Hummel said. "With two matches on Saturday, we have to turn the page quickly and regroup."

Air Force (5-3) led for a majority of the first set, with a three-point run from the Griffs capped by a block from Streicher and junior Lauren Siebert, cutting the deficit to 15-14. The Falcons would use a 6-2 run to take control and go on to win the opening set. Air Force posted a .567 attack percentage in the second set and controlled the set, again breaking it open midway through. Another 6-2 run from Air Force put the Falcons up 22-16 as they took a 2-0 lead in the match. The Falcons dominated the third set, scoring the first four points and not looking back.

Shelley Spires led Air Force with 11 kills and a .556 attack percentage while Maggie Sherrill posted 10 kills as the Falcons hit .352 in the match. Hillary Keltner recorded 38 assists.

Canisius (0-7) concludes its non-conference schedule on Saturday, when the Golden Griffins play host Saint Louis at 1 p.m. and Omaha at 5:30 p.m.

Notes: Canisius and Air Force met for the second time in volleyball, also playing in the La Salle Invitational in 2009 in Philadelphia… Senior Emily Litwin only had nine digs and did not record double-digit digs for the first time in 33 matches.