Faith Christian serves up victory in co-ed volleyball season debut

Faith Christian Academy's new co-ed volleyball program made a smashing debut Thursday in Carol Stream. FCA's season opener was a resounding success, as the varsity Falcons used strong team play to defeat Jay Stream Middle School's 8th-grade boys squad 25-15, 15-11 while the JV Falcons rebounded from a two-set loss to win an extra third set 15-14 over Jay Stream's 7th-grade squad. Congratulations on an exciting tip-off to the new program and season!

The varsity Falcons led from start to finish in both sets of their win. With Faith leading 8-5, Osten Lockner helped FCA build a 15-5 lead with seven straight service points, including two aces and three service winners. Ben Riner added a spike kill, and the Falcons worked together to record 13 three-contact series and deliver 16 passes to setter while letting only two balls hit the floor.

FCA dominated the second set behind excellent serving from Osten (7 for 7, four service winners), Rachel Wiedman (7 for 7, three service winners) and Jessica Smith (3 for 3, two service winners), kills from Anna Verhage, Rachel and Ethan Hansen and digs by Osten and Ben.

Ben and Jessica earned the best attitude award for their consistent passing, Jessica's net play and setting and Ben's court coverage. Osten won the hustle award for his 16-for-16 serving, two digs and solid passing and hustle to the ball. Anna, Nicki Smith and Mackenzie VanDerSnick contributed solid passing and team play, and Rachel made an encouraging debut, too. The Falcons played like their 2 for 1 season theme by working well as a team, and Osten and Ben have made terrific progress as first-year players in just four weeks of practices. The team has a lot of room for improvement, but they're off to a fantastic start!

The JV squad had a tough assignment facing a 7th-grade team with a roster comprised of fourth- through seventh-grade players. The Falcons showed first-match jitters against Jay Stream's strong servers and spikers, losing 25-6, 25-9, but the team settled down and played with a lot more confidence and energy in an extra third set. The Falcons pulled together and began hustling to the ball, calling for balls, getting passes to the setter and bumping balls deep over the net to Jay Stream's back row, particularly Taylor Tinnes, who had four passes to setter, and Mikey Hanley, who bumped three balls deep over the net for points. The Falcons also stepped up their serving, getting 12 out of 15 serves into the opponent's court led by Taylor (5 for 5, two aces) and Bryce Riner (3 for 3, one service winner). FCA rallied from a 13-11 deficit to win four of the last five points and win 15-14!

Cole "Money" Schulze won the hustle award for his strong effort covering the net. Mikey earned the best attitude award for her assertive third-set play.

The Falcons next play their first-ever CVB home matches when they host Leman Middle School of West Chicago on Monday. FCA plays West Chicago's 8th-grade boys team at 4 p.m. followed by its 7th-grade team at 5 p.m. Come support the Falcons!