After a strong spring, Aquincia Strambler and Analise Lucio picked up right where they left off to start the 2021 season. Strambler finished the day with 31 kills while Lucio has her eyes set on a big season after recording 64 assists on the day.
 
The Falcons started the day strong with big performances across the board.  The team started slow in the first set and struggled to find a rhythm.  After falling behind a set, the offense exploded.  The Falcons combined for 16 kills on 42 attempts to take a tightly contested second set.  From there it was all Falcons. 
 
A 7-1 run in the third set turned a one-point deficit into a lead that the Falcons coasted to the end.  The Falcons came out firing in the fourth set.  They started the set 3-1 and didn't look back.  They enforced their will against the Bulldogs cruising to a 25-11 set victory and the match. 
 
Aquincia Strambler led the Falcons with 19 kills.  Two others finished in double figures with Taurie Magee ending with 12 and Isela Murillo ending with 11.  Analise Lucio picked up where she left off in the spring with 45 assists.  Daylee Doggett had 21 digs while Erika Lozano added 13.
 
During the second match against St. Edward's, three out of the four sets saw equal volleyball as each set was up for grabs.
 
In the first set the Falcons soared to an 8-1 lead, but the Hilltoppers slowly chipped away and eventually took the lead. The Falcons fought back and took the lead 22-21 but the Hilltoppers took set one 25-22.
 
In set two the Hilltoppers got the early lead 11-0. As St. Ed's did in the first set the Falcons and chipped away at their lead. The Falcons got as close as 22-23 but could not overcome the early deficit as they fell 25-23.
 
Set three was very evenly matched where neither team had more than a three-point lead. The Falcons took a late 22-18 lead at the end of a 4-1 run. UTPB took set three 25-21, but that was the only set the Falcons could get as they dropped set four and the match 3-1.
 
Aquincia Strambler led the Falcons with 12 kills with Sara Antic and Stephanie Sanchez tied for second on the team with seven kills each. Analise Lucio led the Falcons with 19 assists with Karli Stanley finished with 14. Lucio had a Falcon high 13 digs and Erika Lozano finished with 11 digs.
 
The Falcons will be back tomorrow in the BritKare Lady Buff Classic as they will be against Fort Lewis at 10:30 AM and Adams St. at 2 PM. Download the UTPB Athletics App to follow the Falcons all season long.