[Volleyball] Volleyball Falcons Notch Two Victories at Mile High Challenge

DENVER, Colo. – The Friends University Falcons were victorious in both of their matches today (Aug. 31), winning 3-0 over the Johnson & Wales University Wildcats and then defeating the Presentation College (S.D.) Saints 3-1 at the Mile High Challenge in Denver, Colo.

"Today's wins were a cumulative of putting the last two losses behind us and executing our game plan," Friends head coach Martin Ayin said. "Our team was frustrated about giving up a five-set battle last night to Wayland Baptist, so for us to respond with wins against a scrappy JWU and an athletic and well-coached Presentation College team, this is definitely a move forward toward our goals this season."

The Falcons opened the day with a sweep of the tourney host Wildcats. Friends took the lead with a 25-19 win in the first set before blitzing JWU 25-12 in the second set.

To finish off the victory, the Falcons held off the Wildcats 25-22 in the third set.

Samantha Naake (SR/Woodland, Calif.) and Sarah Lazar (SO/Rose Hill, Kan. ) each anchored the Falcons' attack with nine kills, with Lazar's output temporarily representing a career-high tying mark.

Jana Boston (SR/Newton, Kan.) had 28 assists and Abigail Knittel (JR/Ponca City, Okla. ) led the way with 13 digs for Friends.

The Falcons then seized control of the tilt vs. Presentation with identical 25-18 wins in the first and second sets.

After the Saints stayed in the match by winning the third set 25-22, the Falcons finished things off in emphatic fashion 25-13 in the fourth set.

It was again Naake leading the Falcons with 13 kills, followed closely by Ashleigh Hunter (SR/Andale, Kan.) with 12 kills. Lazar and Knittel each produced a career-best effort of 11 kills for the Falcons.

Boston put together another solid effort with a match-high 44 assists, while Alyssa Arnold (JR/Goddard, Kan. ) led everyone with 13 digs and Korianna Tullis (SR/Derby, Kan. ) had 10 digs.

Lazar (five block assists) and Hurd (four block assists) keyed the Falcons' efforts defensively in the victory over the Saints.

The Falcons will next be in action Monday afternoon (Sept. 2) at Fort Hays State University. The match is set for 4 pm in Hays, Kan.