WICHITA, Kan. -- The Friends University Falcons kicked off their home opener season with a perfect 3–0 start, sweeping Arlington Baptist. Against the Patriots, the Falcons controlled the game from the first whistle, as Natalie Castillo sparked the offense early and Tammy Melendez fueled a key service run. Sofia Mekelburg sealed set two with back-to-back points, and set three was claimed with a kill from Gabbie Taylor, who finished strong with 10 kills on .444 hitting. Libero Jacey Moulton anchored the defense with 24 digs, and setter Randi Reid dished out 18 assists.

The Falcons battled back from an opening-set loss to take down UHSP in four sets (20–25, 25–16, 25–23, 25–19). After falling behind early in set one, Friends tied it at 9–9 but dropped the frame 20–25. The Falcons responded with a dominant second set, building an 8–4 lead and extending it behind kills from Natalie Castillo and Mekelburg before closing 25–16. Friends kept the momentum in set three, racing ahead 5–0 and surviving a late push from the Eutectics thanks to key UHSP serving errors to edge out a 25–23 win. With the match on the line, the Falcons stayed composed in set four, breaking a 19–19 tie with a Jayde Gonzalez kill, then sealing the victory with back-to-back aces from Gabbie Taylor and a kill from Mekelburg. Castillo led the way with 16 kills on .452 hitting, Mekelburg added 12 kills, and Taylor contributed 9.5 points, while Emma Sargeant tallied 16 assists and three aces.

"We had two great wins tonight against ABU and UHSP, both strong and defensive-minded programs," said Friends volleyball head coach Martin Ayin. "Our Falcons are fired up and ready to carry this momentum into tomorrow afternoon as we take on Baker University." 

The Falcons continue their home debut tomorrow (Aug. 30) at 2 pm against Baker University