[Volleyball] Falcon VB Turns Back Ottawa

Friday evening the Friends University Falcons Volleyball team hosted the Ottawa University Braves in a match that would determine who would remain undefeated in conference play.

The Falcons defeated the Braves 26-28; 25-21; 25-22; 27-25 to remain undefeated in the KCAC at 3-0 while posting an overall record of 10-2.

Each game of the match was intensive as both teams displayed an aggressive style of play that caused the crowd in the Garvey PE Center to roar with approval on virtually every possession.

Reminiscent of a boxing match where two fighters attempt to deal heavy blows each team worked to set their offenses to allow middle and outside hitters to consistently attack the net. In the end the Falcons found a method of combining hard and soft shots to areas of the court vacated by the Brave defense which allowed Friends to overcome a game one loss in the 3-1 victory.

Balance was the key to the win for Friends University as Crystal Taporco, Ciara Lawson and Hayley Young contributed ten kills each during the match.

Taporco and Lawson were active defensively at the net recording six and five blocks respectively.

Ottawa's kill attempts were turned back by libero Bailey Burnett who led the team with 22 digs. Ilya Sturges added 17 digs while Hayley Young and Nicole Lund contributed nine digs each.

After the match Friends University head Coach Martin Ayin was asked to assess the Falcons performance. Coach Ayin commented: "When facing a powerhouse program like Ottawa, we tell our team to stay focused, keep their composure and follow our scouting report and game plan we have in place.  With momentum on such a roller coaster ride I am very proud of the girls and their execution tonight."

 Friends University will have little time to enjoy the victory as the Falcons will prepare for a 1:30 p.m. match versus Southwestern College and a 5:30 p.m. match versus Langston University on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at the Garvey PE Center.