Falcons avenge earlier loss to ARC
The FLC women's volleyball team took a huge step toward hosting a postseason playoff game with an exciting 4-set victory over Big 8 co-leader American River on Wednesday night at Falcon Gym, winning 25-14, 25-22, 23-25, 26-24. The raucous home crowd saw the Falcons jump out to a big lead early in set one before the final three sets were each decided by three points or less. With Big 8 kills leader Caitlin Dillon still hobbled by a pulled muscle, the Falcons had to rely on spreading the ball around to other weapons. When middle blocker Kristen Whitney went down with a sprained ankle late in the first set, it was all hands on deck. Despite the lingering muscle pull, Dillon still led the team with 16 kills, though she was clearly not jumping as usual. Defensively, Deonna Robinson had 26 digs to go with her 4 service aces. Alicia Wilson and Kennedy Crawford tallied 9 kills apiece, and Valerie Hutton had 5 blocks.
The Falcons' victory bumped the Beavers out of a tie for first place and enhanced the Falcons' hopes of hosting a first-round playoff match by improving their overall record to 17-7. With just two matches remaining, there is an outside chance the Falcons could finish in a tie for 2nd in the Big 8. They will play at Sac City on Friday night, then finish against Santa Rosa on Tuesday at FLC.