GIORGIO RECORDS 800TH CAREER DIG IN FIVE-SET HEARTBREAKER

WICHITA, Kan. – Playing their second-consecutive five-set match on a Wednesday evening, Avila women's volleyball fell to Friends on Wednesday night, 3-2 in one of their tightest matches all season.

The Eagles got off to a great start early on, leading the first half of the first set before Friends came back for a quick 19-17 lead.

Avila would take momentum away from Friends and wrap up the set on an 7-0 run, taking the first frame, 25-21.

The Falcons took the second set, 25-13 before the two teams battled in the third.

With Avila holding on to a 13-7 lead midway through the third, Friends fought back with a 7-1 run before a 4-0 run from the Eagles gave Avila a late 18-14 lead.

From there, the Falcons took control, ending the set on an 11-5 run. Avila nearly had set point, leading 23-22 but a kill from Friends and an attack error by Avila ended the Eagles' hopes and gave friends the narrow 25-23 third-set win.

Avila needed extras to win the fourth set and force the decisive fifth set.

Getting off to a quick 5-2 start, the two KCAC rivals battled back-and-forth for the entirety of the fourth set. Avila picked up a 16-11 lead until Friends once again battled back with a 5-0 run.

From there, neither team would lead by more than two. With the score tied at 24, Avila notched back-to-back points to force a fifth set.

Friends would not trail for the entirety of the fifth set and after a 5-5 tie, the home squad wrapped the game up with a 10-2 run to end Avila's hopes on the night. 

Sophia Giorgio had one of the best games of her season, notching 30 digs, which brought her over 800 on her Avila career. Maddie Jones picked up a double-double with 13 kills and 11 digs while Megan Davies and Sydney Owens each notched 11 kills on the night.

Avila has back-to-back home games beginning on Saturday vs. Tabor at 3 PM before welcoming St. Mary to Mabee Fieldhouse on Oct. 22 at 7 PM.

 (photo credit: Issy Aguilar)