[Volleyball] Volleyball Falcons Rally Falls Just Short at Kansas Wesleyan

WICHITA – The Friends University Falcons rallied from two sets down, but fell 3-2 as the Kansas Wesleyan University Coyotes squeaked out a 16-14 win in the fifth set tonight (Nov. 3) in Salina, Kan.

The Falcons appeared to be on the ropes after the Coyotes took the first two sets 25-17 and 25-20 to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the match.

Friends wasn't done though and jumped out to an 18-12 lead and stayed alive when a kill by Madalyn Swinicki (JR/Wichita, Kan.) gave the Falcons the third set 25-20.

The Falcons then controlled much of the fourth set and led 24-19 before the Coyotes scored four straight points to come within one.

But a kill by Tiffany Hurd (FR/Gilbert, Ariz.) finally closed out the set for Friends and forced a decisive fifth set.

The Falcons continued the momentum through much of the fifth set, taking leads of 10-7, 11-8 and 13-11.

With a match point at 14-13, the Coyotes recorded the next three points to pull out the win.

Madison Woody (FR/Douglas, Kan.) led the Falcons (8-26, 8-13 KCAC) with a career-best 14 kills.  Swinicki had 13 kills, while Victoria Dalhberg (JR/Mira Mesa, Calif.) also reached her career-high with 12 kills. Swinicki's nine block assists were also a career mark for the Falcons.

Friends got a match-high 30 assists from Jana Boston (SO/Newton, Kan.) and Abigail Knittel (FR/Ponca, Kan.) contributed 20 assists.

Brittany Harris (SR/Flower Mound, Texas) led the Falcons with 19 digs, with Megan Regier (SR/Newton, Kan.) (12) Michaela Girard (SR/Prairie View, Kan.) (10) also posting double-figure digs.

Hannah Reynolds (23-8, 18-3 KCAC) paced the Coyotes with 20 kills and Taylor Dodge had a team-best 28 assists. Paige Johnson led everyone with 26 digs for KWU.

The Falcons will play two matches tomorrow, starting with their KCAC regular season finale at York College tomorrow at 1 pm.  Friends will then square off with Grace University at 3 pm, with both matches taking place in York, Neb.