[Volleyball] Volleyball Opens Season With Victory

Volleyball Defeats Univ. Minnesota-Morris

If the first match of the season is any indication how the Friends University Volleyball team will play this year then the outlook is very good.

On Saturday, August 31, 2013 at the Garvey PE Center the Falcons defeated the University of Minnesota-Morris Cougars 20-25; 25-16; 22-25; 25-19; 15-11 in the opening match of the 2013 volleyball season. Minnesota-Morris, a NCAA Division III school had traveled to Wichita after playing NAIA schools in Iowa.

In game one the Falcons appeared to be a little nervous as the Cougars, playing in their fourth match of the season set the pace and kept Friends University off balance.

Game two was an indicator of how the Falcons have prepared during the pre-season as Friends University shook off any signs of uncertainty and attacked the Cougar defense with consistent and timely attacks.

Game three showed both teams were unwilling to give ground and even though Minnesota-Morris took the game there seemed to be significant confidence by the Falcons as evident by their dominance in games four and five.

Friends University displayed strong serves throughout the match as junior Bailey Burnett and senior Ila Sturges produced two aces each. When the Falcons needed a block senior Crystal Taporco and junior Lorelle Slates stepped up with four a piece. Taporco was the offensive weapon Friends University counted on heavily as she skied above the net to record 13 kills.

In their second match of the day Friends University manhandled Northwestern Oklahoma who is in their second year of provisional membership to NCAA Division II.

The Falcons will now prepare for the Baker University tournament in Baldwin City, KS on September 6 & 7.