[Volleyball] Falcons Best Southwestern, Randall on Senior Day

WICHITA, Kan. — The Friends University Falcons picked up a pair of victories against the Southwestern College Moundbuilders and the Randall University Saints Saturday (Oct. 16) on Senior Day inside the Garvey Center. 

The opener proved to be a career match for Sarah Lazar-St. John (SR/Rose Hill, Kan. ) (23 kills), Rheagan Hoover (SR/Pratt, Kan. ) (22 kills), and Raquel Gonzales (SR/Las Cruces, N.M. ) (51 assists).

The Falcons jumped out to a 12-5 lead early in the first set to spawn a Southwestern timeout, then an 8-2 run by the Builders cut into the Friends lead. 

The Falcons responded with a kill by Lazar-St. John followed by back-to-back kills by Hoover to gain control and win the set 25-20.

Set two was similar to the first, as the Falcons grabbed a big lead before cruising to a 25-16 set win to take a 2-0 advantage in the match.

The Falcons scored the first three points in the third set but later found themselves in a 12-9 deficit. Kills by Hoover and Zoe Grolnic (FR/Arvada, Colo.) and a service ace by Gonzales tied the game at 15.

The teams traded points before five straight points by the Falcons gave them a 20-17 edge. The Builders responded with an 8-2 spurt to win the set 25-22.

The Falcons finished off the match with a 25-16 win in the fourth set. 

In the nightcap, the Saints kept it close early in the opening set to trail 14-13. A kill by Lazar-St. John sparked an 11-1 spurt for the Falcons to close out the set.

The Falcons jumped out to a 14-8 lead in set two en route to a 25-16 win to take a commanding 2-0 lead. 

Friends kept things going in set three, taking a 7-1 advantage behind kills by Hoover and Zoey Tauanu'u (FR/Wichita, Kan.). The Saints battled back to tie the set 17-17, but six straight points by the Falcons gave the Falcons control.

A kill by Sydney Ruth (SR/Coalinga, Calif. ), followed by a service error by the Saints, finished off the sweep. 

Lazar-St. John led the Falcons (12-12, 4-2 KCAC) with 12 kills in the second match, while Hoover added 11 kills. Gonzales finished with a match-high 33 assists, and Antonia Perier (FR/Bakersfield, Calif.) anchored the defense with 23 digs. 

The Falcons stay at home Wednesday (Oct. 20) as they square off against Avila University. Tickets for all Friends home events can be purchased HERE.