Hillsboro, Kan. -- The Tabor College Bluejays defeated the Friends University Falcons in straight sets, winning 25-15, 25-21, 25-23 today (Oct. 25) in Hillsboro, Kan. 

Friends initially took a 2-0 lead in the first set, but Tabor responded with the next eight points. The Bluejays then extended their lead to 20-8, helped by a service ace from Annerieke Nederveen and several attack errors by Friends. Despite a late push from Friends, including a kill by Gabbie Taylor, Tabor secured the set at 25-15 with a final kill by Breonna Smith, assisted by Mia Maly.

Friends and Tabor exchanged leads throughout the second set, with Friends initially gaining momentum through Maddy Hildebrand's attacks, including a notable kill assisted by Randi Reid to tie the score at 5-5. Tabor responded with successive points, capitalizing on Friends' attack errors and a service ace, eventually pulling ahead with a 16-14 lead. Despite Friends' efforts to close the gap, including a kill by Taylor, Tabor maintained their edge with Liana McGonigle's pivotal kills. The set concluded with a kill by Nederveen, securing a 25-21 win for Tabor.

Tabor capitalized on a series of attack errors from Friends to secure a 25-23 victory in the third set. Friends gained an initial 2-0 advantage with a service ace by Sofia Mekelburg, but Tabor quickly answered. McGonigle recorded multiple kills and contributed to a scoring run that extended Tabor's lead to 10-4. Friends mounted a comeback, tying the set at 15-15 with a service ace from Reid. However, Tabor edged ahead once more, culminating in a decisive kill by Maly that concluded the set.

Mekelburg recorded 10 digs and added four kills while serving two aces. Reid contributed 11 assists and collected eight digs. Taylor and Hildebrand each tallied a team-high six kills, while Sutton Thompson posted a team-leading 11 digs for Friends and Emma Sargeant had 10 assists. 

McGonigle led Tabor with 15 kills and a total of 20 points, along with three solo blocks and two block assists in three games played. Nederveen led the Bluejays with 14 assists and 11 digs.

The Falcons will now return to the Garvey Center and host Ottawa University Wednesday night (Oct. 29) at 7 pm.