Lindsborg, Kan. -- The Friends University Falcons recorded their second reverse sweep victory of the season, this time rallying to win 31-33, 19-25, 25-15, 29-27, 15-13 today (Sept. 27) in the KCAC opener over the Bethany College Swedes. 

"Tonight was a statement win for the Falcons," said Friends volleyball head coach Martin Ayin. "Bethany pushed us hard, but our grit, composure, and trust in each other carried us through the big moments. I'm proud of how our group responded and stayed locked in until the very last point." The Falcons overcame a two-set deficit, highlighted by a pivotal third set where they held the Swedes to just 15 points.

First Set  
- The Swedes opened with a strong 7-0 run, including a service ace from Jordyn Carpenter, to seize an early advantage.  
- Friends University responded by narrowing the gap with a 6-0 run, highlighted by blocks from Gabbie Taylor and Jayde Gonzalez, pulling within 9-8.  
- The teams exchanged leads late into the set, with the Falcons reaching set point at 31-31 following a kill by Grace McClintock.  
- Bethany secured the set 33-31 after a block by Chloe Linville and Alivia Cheatham on Natalie Castillo's attack.  

Second Set  
- The Falcons opened with a 3-1 lead, highlighted by consecutive kills from Maddy Hildebrand.  
- The Swedes responded with a series of plays, regaining the lead at 11-9 following a service error by Friends.  
- The score remained close until Bethany pulled ahead 19-15, capitalizing on a kill by Ashlynn Gehring.
- The Swedes closed the set on a 6-3 run, with Blanca Ariciniega Palma securing the final points to win the set 25-19.

Third Set  
- Friends surged early with a 6-0 run, featuring two service aces by Sofia Mekelburg and kills from Natalie Castillo and Maddy Hildebrand, building a 10-1 lead.  
- The Swedes called a timeout, but the Falcons maintained momentum with a kill from Castillo and another ace from Mekelburg, extending the lead to 13-3.  
- Bethany responded with a brief 4-0 run, including two kills by Blanca Ariciniega Palma, narrowing the score to 20-11.  
- Friends closed the set decisively with a final 5-4 stretch, clinching the set 25-15 on an attack error by the Swedes' Jordyn Carpenter.

Fourth Set  
- Bethany built an early 5-2 lead with help from two Friends attack errors.  
- The Falcons tied the score at 8-8 following a service ace by Tammy Melendez, prompting a Swedes timeout.  
- The teams traded points throughout the set, with neither side leading by more than three, as both squads struggled with service errors.  
- Friends capitalized on back-to-back attack errors by Bethany to secure a 29-27 set win.

Fifth Set  
- The Falcons opened with a commanding 5-0 lead, aided by attack errors from the Swedes and a kill by Sofia Mekelburg.  
- Bethany closed the gap to 6-5 following a service ace by Michelle Acevedo Ortiz and a kill by Alivia Cheatham.  
- A kill by Gabbie Taylor and an attack error by the Swedes extended Friends University's lead to 10-6.  
- The Falcons secured the set and match victory with a score of 15-13 after a final attack error by Bethany.

Up next: The Falcons will host the University of Saint Mary in a KCAC matchup Wednesday night (Oct. 1) at 7 pm inside the Garvey Center. 

Friends University Top Performers  

Natalie Castillo  
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- 19 kills (career-high) on 40 attempts, .325 hitting percentage  
- 22.0 points  
- five total blocks  

Randi Reid
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- 39 assists (career-high)

Emma Sargeant  
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- 26 assists 
 
Gabbie Taylor  
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- 13 kills (ties career-high)  
- four block assists  
- 17.0 points  

Maddy Hildebrand  
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- 15 kills (career-high) on 41 attempts, .244 hitting percentage  
- two total blocks  
- 16.5 points  

Tammy Melendez  
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- 36 digs (career-high)
- one service ace  

Jacey Moulton  
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- 30 digs  
- two assists  

Bethany College Top Performers

Ashlynn Gehring  
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- 15 kills  
- 26 assists  
- 22 digs  

Michelle Acevedo Ortiz  
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- 43 digs  
- 2 service aces  
- .286 hitting percentage  

Alivia Cheatham  
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- 11 kills  
- 5 total blocks  
- 13.5 points  

Jordyn Carpenter  
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- 22 digs  
- 12 kills  
- 13.5 points  

Chloe Linville  
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- 7 kills  
- 5 total blocks  
- 10 points