Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 WICHITA, Kan. — The Friends University Falcons pulled out a dramatic 3-2 victory over the York University Panthers, triumphing 25-15, 25-23, 27-29, 22-25, 15-6 with a .500 hitting percentage in the decisive set. The Falcons then knocked off the Randall University Saints 3-1 by winning the final three sets 25-12, 25-14 and 25-15 after dropping the first set 25-21 to improve to 16-4 on the season, marking the program's best 20-game start since also starting the 2013 campaign at 16-4. 

Friends began the opening set with a strong offensive showing, accumulating 10 kills and six aces to establish early control. The team's effective service game was complemented by a solid defensive effort, recording one block and limiting the Panthers to 15 points. Friends capitalized on York's three service errors and three attack errors to maintain momentum throughout the set.

The set concluded with Friends winning 25-15 to take an early lead. 

In the second set, the Falcons recorded four blocks that stifled the Panthers' offensive rhythm. The home team also effectively utilized two service aces to maintain pressure.. Despite York's ten kills, Friends held firm through the set and ultimately prevailed 25-23 to extend its lead.

In the third set, the Panthers stayed alive by capitalizing on 15 kills and rallied from 23-19 down to escape with a narrow 29-27 win.

The Falcons pushed to regain momentum in the fourth, recording 11 kills and three service aces. However, York's defense proved formidable, tallying four blocks to win the set 25-22 to force a fifth set.

The fifth set began with Friends quickly shifting momentum, utilizing a strong service game to tally four aces and six kills. The Falcons effectively capitalized on York's service errors and limited attacking opportunities to maintain control throughout the set.

Defensively, Friends' coordination was evident with a block contributing to their dominance, while York struggled with errors, committing three service errors and a ball-handling error. The Falcons closed the set in dominant fashion, 15-6 to seal the victory. 

Randi Reid led the team with 30 assists and added six service aces, with Emma Sargeant tallying 17 assists. Natalie Castillo was a force at the net, recording a career-high 21 kills with a .432 hitting percentage and five total blocks. Jacey Moulton and Gabbie Taylor each had a team-high 19 digs, while Tammy Melendez contributed with 13 digs and added four service aces. Sofia Mekelburg posted eight kills and also had four service aces.

Jassania Joseph led York with a standout performance in blocking, accumulating six total blocks, including five solo efforts, and adding five kills with a .231 hitting percentage. Libero Valentina Jimenez was instrumental in the back row, recording a team-high 26 digs. Ronan Merriex contributed offensively with seven kills at a .333 hitting percentage, while also adding two total blocks. Meadow Nusbaum led the Panthers with 19 assists and Kensey Clifton had 18 assists. 

Later in the day against the Saints, the Falcons immediately got a kill from Castillo. The first set was a back-and-forth battle, as both teams exchanged points with neither gaining a significant lead. Notably, Mekelburg and Melendez contributed service aces, helping Friends keep pace. Midway through the set, Castillo put through multiple kills to help the Falcons briefly edge ahead. As the set progressed, Randall capitalized on a late series of errors by the Falcons, including attack errors and a service ace against them and came away with a 25-21 to take an early lead. 

The second set began with Friends quickly gaining momentum as Castillo opened the scoring with a kill assisted by Reid to establish an early lead. The Falcons extended their advantage with key contributions from Taylor and Maddy Hildebrand, who each secured kills during this stretch. In the latter part of the set, Friends maintained dominance, with Taylor delivering consecutive service aces to widen the gap. Grace McClintock and Mekelburg added to the scoring with kills, while Jayde Gonzalez contributed defensively with a block. Friends closed the set decisively, with a final score of 25-12.

Castillo and Hildebrand delivered early kills in the third set assisted by Reid to help the Falcons get off to a good start. Despite a series of tying points from Randall, Friends regained momentum with a kill from Gonzalez and a series of errors from the Saints for a 10-6 advantage. As the set progressed, Friends maintained control, with Sutton Thompson's service ace extending the lead to 18-12. Following a timeout by Randall, the Falcons continued to press, with defensive errors from the Saints contributing to the scoring run. A decisive block by Gonzalez and a service ace from Sargeant pushed Friends to a commanding 24-13 position. The Falcons closed the set with another kill by Gonzalez to seal a 25-14 victory.

The Falcons maintained their momentum in the fourth set, quickly gaining a 3-0 lead with a kill from Castillo and a service ace by Mekelburg. Gonzalez contributed a kill and a block to push the advantage to 9-3. Despite a brief rally from Randall, highlighted by kills by Addyson Day, Friends continued to capitalize on the Saints' errors and maintained their lead. Key plays included a kill by Hildebrand and another by Castillo that extended the score to 15-8.  The Falcons then emphatically closed the set and match with a kill from Castillo 25-15. 

Castillo led the offensive charge for Friends, recording 13 kills on 24 attempts for a .417 hitting percentage. Taylor contributed significantly with nine kills, four service aces, and a team-leading 15 digs for a total of 13 points. Gonzalez also made her mark with nine kills and three blocks, amassing 12 points. Reid facilitated the attack with 22 assists and Sargeant added 15 assists. Moulton (13), Melendez (12) and Thompson (12) also reached double-figures in digs. 

Day and Kimberly Phelps each had 11 kills to lead the Saints, with Kylie Thompson recording 23 assists and 12 digs. Alana Hutchins led Randall with 13 digs. 

The Falcons will next face a stern test Wednesday (Oct. 8) at 6 pm when they play at No. 5-ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University in Bartlesville, Okla.