WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons have been selected to finish second in both the KCAC preseason coaches' and media poll, the conference office announced today (Oct. 15).
There was a variance at the top of each poll, with Evangel University picked first in the coaches' poll and Tabor College chosen first in the media survey.
After the Falcons, it was Tabor, the University of Saint Mary and Bethel College in the top five of the coaches' poll. In the media poll, Evangel, Kansas Wesleyan and Saint Mary rounded out the top five behind Friends.
The Falcons lose two-time KCAC Defensive Player of the Year Taylor Jackson and top three-point shooter Kori Babcock, but welcome back unanimous first-team all-conference performing guard Lauryn McIver and honorable-mention All-KCAC selection Abigail Barr at forward. Head coach Dean Jaderston also returns guard Rayland Garner, who averaged 8.3 points per game last season after earning first-team All-KCAC honors during the 2023-24 season.
"Coming into this fall, there's an excitement and an opportunity to spread our wings," Jaderston said during his KCAC Media Day segment. "Our recruiting went well and we got the pieces we needed, so we're really excited about the season ahead of us this year."
The Falcons will open the 2025-26 season at home vs. Mid-America Christian University on Oct. 25 at 3 pm inside the Garvey Center.
