[Volleyball] Volleyball Falcons Split Two Matches in Final Day of KCAC Fall Fling
Hutchinson, Kan. – For the second straight day, the Friends University Volleyball Falcons went 1-1 at the KCAC Fall Fling, this time defeating the Southwestern College Lady Builders 3-2 and being tripped up by the Tabor College Bluejays 3-0 today (Aug. 25) at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kan.
The Falcons started the day with a thrilling win over Southwestern, as Ashleigh Hunter (JR/Andale, Kan.) teamed up with Olivia Naccarato (SR/Mulvane, Kan.) for the game-winning block to seal a 15-13 win in the fifth set.
The riveting opening set served as a preview for how dramatic the final outcome could be, as the Falcons saved four set points and scored the final three points to pull out a 32-30 win.
The Lady Builders then controlled the second set 25-16 and took a 2-1 lead with a 25-21 win in the third set.
The Falcons stayed alive in the fourth set with a 25-20 victory to force the decisive fifth set.
Hunter led the Falcons in the win with a career-best 14 kills, while Madison Woody (SO/Douglass, Kan.) tied her career-best output with 13 kills.
Jana Boston (JR/Newton, Kan.) had a team-high 35 assists for Friends and newcomer Destani Garten (JR/Pratt, Kan. ) led the way with 22 digs. Korianna Tullis (JR/Derby, Kan. ) also contributed a career-high 20 digs.
Kayln Beel paced the Lady Builders with 14 kills and Catabrean Baumann had a match-high 53 assists. Emily White also led everyone with 28 digs for Southwestern.
In the second tilt of the day, the Falcons trailed in the first set 15-14 when the Bluejays ran off five straight points to gain control and finished off the set 25-20.
After Tabor went up 2-0 with a 25-21 win in the second set, the Falcons charged back from eight points down in the third to take a 27-26 lead. But the Bluejays answered and held off the Falcons 30-28 to finish the win.
Woody led the Falcons (2-2) with 10 kills against Tabor, with Boston tallying 22 assists.
Friends also got eight digs from Boston, Ashtyn Wuthrich (SR/Archer City, Texas) and Garten.
Taylor Quirring had a match-high 13 kills for Tabor and Keeley Kroeker produced 22 assists. Monea Ortiz led the Bluejays with 12 digs.
The Falcons will now host Benedictine College for their home opener Tuesday night (Aug. 28) at 7 pm inside the Garvey Center.