WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons dominated the Sterling College Warriors in three sets to secure their first KCAC victory of 2024 today (Oct. 12) inside the Garvey Center.
The Falcons took control from the outset, scoring eight of the first 10 points of the first set behind a pair of kills from Gabriella Lujan.
Leading 22-15, consecutive attack errors by the Warriors and then a kill by setter Quinn Curran put the Falcons on top in the match.
The second set began in more competitive fashion, but with the Falcons trailing 11-10, back-to-back kills by Sydney Lentz capped a 9-2 spurt that put Friends up six.
A kill by Samantha Johnson then finished the set 25-16 and gave the Falcons a commanding 2-0 advantage.
The third set followed a similar script, with two straight kills by Lentz helping the Falcons pull away midway through and then Johnson again hitting a kill to end the set and match.
"Today was about coming together and putting in the work for three solid games for a sweep," said Friends volleyball head coach Martin Ayin. "We've been working hard to get to this level and today was a culmination of the work and buy in. I'm proud of our home stand this weekend for Falcon Volleyball with our varsity reserve win on Friday and our varsity sweep today."
Lentz led the Falcons (11-11, 1-5 KCAC) with 13 kills and Maysen Bruschke posted a career-high 11 kills. Curran distributed a match-high 34 assists, while Antonia Perier had a team-high 20 digs and Tammy Melendez added 11 digs.
Aliya McClanahan paced the Warriors (10-10, 1-6 KCAC) with eight kills and Aubrey Young had 28 assists. Makenna Linden led Sterling defensively with 23 digs.
The Falcons put together an efficient offensive performance, hitting .397 as a team for their highest percentage in KCAC action this season.
The next outing is also a home game for the Falcons vs. Southwestern College Wednesday night (Oct. 16) at 7 pm.
"Thank you to all the family, friends and fans who spent part of their weekend with us," said Ayin. "All Gas, No Brakes!"
