Friends Athletics
Levi Convirs, Sports Information Director
WICHITA – The Friends University Falcons took control early and cruised to a dominating 3-0 victory over the Bethel College Lady Threshers tonight (Oct. 9) inside the Garvey Center.
Kills by Ashleigh Hunter (JR/Andale, Kan.) and Madalyn Swinicki (SR/Wichita, Kan.) contributed to the Falcons’ fast start and an early 5-1 edge.
Hunter, Swinicki and Emily Thompson (SR/Garden Plain, Kan.) each put in three kills in the first frame, including two late winners by Hunter that helped the Falcons take the opening set 25-16.
With things knotted at 12-12 in the second, four kills from Olivia Naccarato (SR/Mulvane, Kan.) fueled a 13-3 Falcon burst to end the set 25-15 for a commanding 2-0 lead.
At 4-2 in the third set, the Falcons’ hustle saved what appeared to be a sure point for Bethel and continued the rally that turned into a kill by JaNay Maggett (SR/Wichita, Kan.).
The next point saw Korianna Tullis (JR/Derby, Kan. ) make a diving dig to keep a point alive that resulted in a block by Swinicki and Tiffany Hurd (SO/Gilbert, Ariz.).
Swinicki then followed that with a kill and an assisted block with Thompson to stretch the Falcon lead to 8-2.
A kill by Hurd and two more winners from Swinicki capped the Falcon run of eight straight points and a commanding 12-2 lead.
After the Lady Threshers later used a 4-0 spurt to come within 13-9, kills by Hurd, Samantha Naake (JR/Woodland, Calif.) and Emily Thompson along with a service ace from Kylee Glahn (SR/Windsor, Colo.) stemmed the tide and the Falcons went on to close out the set and match 25-20.
“Bethel is a much improved team, so it was nice to put all the pieces together for a win at home after being on the road for the past three matches,” Friends head coach Martin Ayin said.
Swinicki led the Falcons (14-15, 3-4 KCAC) with 13 kills and Jana Boston (JR/Newton, Kan.), now the program’s all-time leader in assists, had a match-high 28 helpers.
Destani Garten (JR/Pratt, Kan. ) had a team-high 16 digs for the Falcons, with Tullis producing 15 digs.
Glahn (11), Ashtyn Wuthrich (SR/Archer City, Texas) (11) and Boston (10) also tallied double-figure digs.
Jordyn Allen paced the Lady Threshers (5-15, 2-4 KCAC with nine digs and Avery Myatt had a team-best 10 assists. Rachel Bustillos had a match-high 21 digs for Bethel.
The Falcons will next be at Benedictine College Thursday night (Oct. 11) at 7 pm in Atchison, Kan.