[Volleyball] Volleyball Falcons Nipped Twice at Mile High Challenge

Denver, Colo. – The Friends University Falcons dropped a tough 3-2 outing to the Wayland Baptist University Pioneers in their second match today (Aug. 30) at the Mile High Challenge at Johnson & Wales University in Denver, Colo.

In their first match of the day, the Falcons fell 3-1 to the Dickinson State University Blue Hawks by scores of 25-20, 16-25, 21-25 & 15-25.

The Falcons appeared to be in command vs. Wayland Baptist after pulling out a tight third set 25-23.

But the Pioneers responded and won the fourth set 25-21 before taking the decisive fifth set 15-12.

Samantha Naake (SR/Woodland, Calif.) led the Falcons with a personal season-high 17 kills against WBU. Tiffany Hurd (JR/Gilbert, Ariz.) added 14 kills and Jana Boston (SR/Newton, Kan.) recorded a season-best 45 assists for Friends.

Alyssa Arnold (JR/Goddard, Kan. ) paced six Falcons in double-figure digs with a career-high total of 22. Abigail Knittel (JR/Ponca City, Okla. ) and Korianna Tullis (SR/Derby, Kan. ) each had 19 digs, with Knittel's output representing her career-best mark.

Hurd also had a career-high 14 digs and Boston had 13 digs. Melanie McCormick (SR/Derby, Kan. ) chipped in with 10 digs.

Against Dickinson State, it was Ashleigh Hunter (SR/Andale, Kan.) leading Friends (1-5) with nine kills, with Boston tallying 36 assists. Tullis had a team-high 21 digs and Arnold had 15 digs, which temporarily served as her career-best mark until her performance in the second match vs. WBU.

The Falcons will next face tourney host Johnson & Wales University tomorrow (Aug. 31) at 1 pm (CST) and then Presentation College at 5 pm (CST).