North Newton, Kan. — The Friends University Falcons fell in three competitive sets at the Bethel College Threshers in a KCAC matchup today (Oct. 17) in North Newton, Kan.
Friends cut an early 6-2 first set deficit to 6-5 behind an
Erin Cheatum kill, a
Sofia Mekelburg ace and a
Gabbie Taylor kill. Bethel answered with five straight points to stretch the score to 11-5 and went on to win 25-18 to take the lead in the match.
The Falcons' key push in the second set turned a 16-14 deficit into an 18-16 lead, with
Alia Lanzen, Mekelburg,
Natalie Castillo and
Lynzee Neal all involved in the four-point run. Bethel moved back in front 23-20, but the Falcons closed to 23-22 on a service error and a Taylor kill from Cheatum. But the Threshers scored the final two points to take the set 25-22.
In the third set, Friends made a late push after falling behind 22-17, getting a Mekelburg kill, an
Iris Lozano ace and a Castillo-Lanzen block to close within 22-20. The Threshers took the next two points, and after Lanzen answered with a kill to keep the Falcons alive, a kill by Alayna Vines finished the set and the match for Bethel 25-21.
Taylor led the Falcons with 10 kills and added 10 digs, one ace and one block assist. Mekelburg finished with 12 assists, nine kills, five digs, three block assists and an ace. Neal added 11 assists, seven digs, one ace and one block assist, while Castillo recorded four block assists and added three kills.
Cameron Offerle led Bethel with 11 kills and added 12 digs. Dalaina Schutte recorded 34 assists and Vines tallied nine kills.
The Falcons will next return home and host Evangel University Wednesday evening (Oct. 21) at 7 pm inside the Garvey Center.
