WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons made their first appearance inside the Garvey Center in 2024 a resounding success with a 3-0 victory over the Randall University Saints tonight (Aug. 27).

On top 10-7 in the first set, a kill by Gabriella Lujan ignited a 10-2 burst that Sofia Mekelburg capped with a kill of her own for a 20-9 lead.

The Falcons went on to a 25-11 win in the opening set for an early lead in the match.

Friends then blitzed Randall in the second set, scoring the first five points and seven of the first eight. The Falcons built the lead as high as 21-3 and got five kills from Sydney Lentz and two more kills from Lujan to finish a 25-9 romp.

Leading 21-12 in the third set, Lujan appropriately powered in four kills to emphatically close out the match for the Falcons.

"Great win to open our season at home and we're looking forward to stepping up to the challenge in the second game of our homestand against USAO tomorrow," said Friends volleyball head coach Martin Ayin. "Thank you to all the family, friends and students for making it loud tonight!"

Lujan (career-high 12 kills, .588 hitting percentage) and Lentz (10 kills, .571 hitting percentage) powered the Falcons offensively. Quinn Curran had 33 assists, with Antonia Perier (11 digs) and Jenae Dearing (10 digs) leading the Falcons' defensive efforts.

Katelyn Crosby had six kills for Randall and Kylie Thompson had a team-high 16 assists.

Friends (4-1) hit a sizzling .468 as a team, while holding the Saints to just a .068 hitting percentage.

Match time for the Falcons' home outing tomorrow (Aug. 28) vs. USAO is 7 pm.

Purchase tickets to catch the Falcons at home two more times this week!