ST. LOUIS, Mo. — The Friends University Falcons opened play at the Eutectics Classic with a four-set win over Freed-Hardeman University today (Sept. 12), winning 25-15, 23-25, 25-23 and 25-20, with a standout performance of 15 service aces.

Friends took control early in set one, highlighted by Maddy Hildebrand's two pivotal kills, with assists from Tammy Melendez and Randi Reid. The Falcons capitalized on a series of Freed-Hardeman errors, and Gabbie Taylor's impressive serving run, including three consecutive aces to push their lead to 21-12. Despite a late push by the Lions, Friends closed the set decisively at 25-15, with Grace McClintock's final kill from Emma Sargeant cementing the win.

Set two began with both teams exchanging points, as Friends rallied behind a kill from Hildebrand and a pair of opponent errors. A series of errors allowed Freed-Hardeman to pull ahead 20-14, prompting the Falcons to call a timeout. They responded with a late surge, narrowing the deficit to 24-23 with a kill by Natalie Castillo and a service ace from Sofia Mekelburg. Despite the comeback effort, a service error concluded the set with Friends falling 25-23.

The third set opened with a strong defensive effort by Friends, as Mekelburg and Castillo put up an effective block to secure the first point against Freed-Hardeman. Reid contributed significantly, providing multiple assists, including a notable setup for Hildebrand's kill at 10-8, maintaining their lead. Despite a tense moment when the Lions rallied to tie the score at 14-14, a strategic timeout by the Falcons at 20-15 shifted momentum back in their favor. Friends ultimately clinched the set 25-23, with a decisive kill from Taylor off another assist from Reid securing the win.

Set four began with the Falcons taking an early lead, highlighted by a kill from Hildebrand and consecutive points from Taylor, who recorded a kill and two service aces. A pivotal moment occurred when the Falcons called a timeout at 10-8, halting Freed-Hardeman's momentum. Following the timeout, Mekelburg delivered a scoring surge with multiple service aces, expanding the lead to 20-11. Despite a late push from the Lions, Friends maintained control, with Mekelburg sealing the set and the match at 25-20 with a decisive kill, assisted by Sargeant.

Friends University Top Performers vs. Freed-Hardeman

Gabbie Taylor  
----------------------  
- nine service aces  
- six digs  
- two blocks  
- 16 points

Sofia Mekelburg  
----------------------  
- six kills  
- six service aces  
- 12.5 points

Maddy Hildebrand  
----------------------  
- 11 kills (career-high)
- .333 hitting percentage  
- 11 points

Jacey Moulton  
----------------------  
- 17 digs

Randi Reid  
----------------------  
- 21 assists  
- eight digs

Freed-Hardeman University Top Performers
----------------------

Iza Wos  
- 9 kills  
- 3 total blocks  
- 10.5 points  

Avery Young  
- 8 kills  
- 9 digs  
- 3 total blocks  

Audrey Orton  
- 9 kills  
- 3 service aces  
- 8 digs  

Hope Breen  
- 10 kills, .471 hitting percentage  
- 1 block assist  
- 10.5 points  

In the second match of the day against St. Francis, the Falcons began the first set with an aggressive start, taking a 4-0 lead highlighted by Mekelburg's service ace. Despite a brief rally from St. Francis, the Falcons maintained momentum, with Reid assisting on multiple key plays, including a kill by Hildebrand that extended the lead to 5-2. A pivotal timeout at 9-7 helped Friends regroup, culminating in an 8-2 run featuring strong performances by McClintock and two service aces from Maysen Bruschke, ultimately securing a 25-19 victory for the set.

The second set began with Friends quickly taking the lead with a kill from Castillo assisted by Reid. Despite a service error by Reid, the team regained momentum with Castillo and Jayde Gonzalez contributing crucial points. At a critical juncture, Friends tied the game at 8-8 with a series of successful plays, including a kill by Mekelburg from Sargeant. Reid's strong play continued as she set up Taylor for multiple kills, maintaining the scoreline close at 15-15. After a tactical timeout at 18-17, Friends briefly gained the lead at 21-20 with a kill by Hildebrand, but St. Francis closed the set with a decisive 5-1 run, capped by a service ace, to secure a 25-22 set victory.

Starting the third set, Friends immediately set the tone with a 3-0 run, highlighted by a block from Taylor and Gonzalez. Despite a scoring surge from St. Francis, which included a six-point streak to take a 12-6 lead, the Falcons called a timely timeout to regroup. This strategic pause paid off as Taylor's serving skill, including two aces, fueled a late comeback that saw Friends rally from a 21-15 deficit to secure a 25-23 victory, capped by a decisive kill from Gonzalez.

The fourth set commenced with a series of errors, as both teams struggled for early control. Friends showcased resilience with a pivotal kill by Mekelburg, assisted by Melendez, and a crucial block by Taylor and Gonzalez to tie it at 3-3. As the set progressed, the Falcons rallied back from a 13-19 deficit, using a strategic timeout at 18-20 to regroup. A service ace by Mekelburg at 23-23 gave Friends a temporary edge, but St. Francis ultimately clinched the set 28-26 after a tense exchange of points, concluding with an error by the Falcons.

The fifth set began with a tight exchange of points, highlighted by an early block from Castillo and Hildebrand to bring the score to 4-2 in favor of the visiting team. Friends maintained pressure as Reid facilitated multiple scoring plays, including a key kill by Taylor that tied the game at 10-10. Despite a strategic timeout at 10-11 to halt St. Francis's momentum, the Falcons faced a late surge from St. Francis, capped by a service ace, to finish out the match 17-15. 

The Falcons will wrap up play at the Eutectics Classic with matches tomorrow (Sept. 13) at 9 am vs. Cottey College and then at 11 am vs. the tourney host University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy in St. Louis. 

Friends Top Performers vs. St. Francis

Randi Reid  
-----------------  
- 24 assists  
- 12 digs  
- 2 service aces  

Gabbie Taylor  
-----------------  
- 11 kills  
- 25 digs (career-high)
- 16 points  

Natalie Castillo  
-----------------  
- 8 kills  
- 5 block assists  
- 10.5 points  

Maddy Hildebrand  
-----------------  
- 8 kills  
- 5 block assists  
- 10.5 points  

Sofia Mekelburg  
-----------------  
- 8 kills  
- 8 digs  
- 10 points  

St. Francis Top Performers
----------------------

Riley Hungate  
- 14 kills  
- 18 digs  
- 15.5 points  

Delani Kirstein  
- 9 kills  
- .312 hitting percentage  
- 4 block assists  

Alyssa Teske  
- 14 kills  
- .268 hitting percentage  
- 14.5 points