WICHITA, Kan. – The Friends University Falcons have been a staple of consistency under head coach Dean Jaderston, finishing no lower than fourth in the KCAC in the three of the last four seasons.
The Falcons have also advanced to two of the past three KCAC postseason tournament championship games, including falling at home last year in overtime to Sterling College.
For Friends to replicate that success this upcoming season, things will look a bit different without the presence of two-time KCAC Defensive Player of the Year Taylor Jackson and the team's top three-point shooter Kori Babcock.
But the cupboard is far from bare for Jaderston, in fact it's over half full with the return of All-KCAC selections Lauryn McIver and Abigail Barr.
A scorer and distributor, McIver led the Falcons in both points (15.2 ppg) and assists (3.2) while also pulling down 5.2 rebounds in earning unanimous first-team All-KCAC honors last season. McIver had already etched her name in the modern-era record book by recording a single-game record tying 11 assists in a victory at Evangel during the 2023-24 campaign.
Barr often played alongside Jackson in the interior last year and made her own mark by receiving All-KCAC honorable-mention recognition. The Freeport, Ill. native showed adept touch inside by finishing tied for second in the conference in field-goal percentage (56.9) along with ranking third on the team in scoring (12.4 ppg) and second in rebounding (7.1 rpg).
2023-24 first-team All-KCAC performer Rayland Garner also returns after averaging 8.3 ppg last year and will once again be a critical part of whatever success the Falcons hope to achieve.
"It will be exciting to see the opportunities these three athletic scorers will have with our floor more spread this year," said Jaderston. "They play off each other so well, and if we can increase the pace we play, they'll all have multiple opportunities to excel."
Additional veterans returning that saw action last year include Jadyn Glasgow, KK Peeler, Ella Brown, Anna Sant'Anna, Jenikka Boone, Zuzana Pechova and Grace Paul.
"KK Peeler had a great off-season and gives us an experienced point guard who is also an incredible perimeter defender," noted Jaderston. "Jadyn Glasgow and Jenikka Boone can play multiple positions and will give us depth at the guard position. Ella Brown and Anna Sant'Anna have both shown significant improvement and are shooting the ball very well. Zuzana Pechova is a natural scorer who gives us a big offensive boost off the bench."
Jaderston also brought in a strong crop of newcomers and believes a few can have an immediate role this season.
"Katie Weiss is a transfer from Newman who can stretch the floor with her 3-point shooting," said Jaderston. "Corianna Fulbright will help give us a more physical presence in the paint. Heaven Gilbert and Raegan Bugaj are freshmen who will also have an immediate impact. Heaven brings a fierce physical presence inside, and Raegan is a deceptive playmaker who excels in the open court."
The Falcons, who received votes in the NAIA Preseason Top 25 Coaches' poll, will open the 2025-26 season inside the Garvey Center tomorrow (Oct. 25) vs. Mid-America Christian University, a team that was ranked 24th in the final NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll last season and is also receiving votes to open the season.
The non-conference schedule also includes an exhibition game against Jackson and NCAA D-1 member Oral Roberts University on Nov. 3, with KCAC action set to also begin at home on Nov. 15 vs. Evangel University.
"We jump into the fire right away," said Jaderston. "Four of our six non-conference opponents played in the national tournament last year and three of them are receiving votes in the preseason poll, with Hastings being ranked 12th. We will find out who we are very quickly. We have to make the most of those games because we open up conference play against Evangel, who was picked first in the KCAC."
