CREDIT: JASON YOUNG / FANSHAWE ATHLETICS
The Fanshawe Falcon's volleyball team had a strong Halloween weekend with two wins to make their record 4-1 in the season.

The Fanshawe women's volleyball team added two wins to their season total after a pair of victories at home over Halloween weekend, moving to 4-1 on the season.

On Thursday, Oct. 29, the Falcons hosted the Conestoga Condors. The opening set was close, with both the Falcons and Condors answering the other team's offensive attacks. Late in the set, Fanshawe was down 24-22 but was able to mount the comeback to win with a final score of 26-24.

The second set began with an aggressive Fanshawe offensive attack with three aces from Darian Gropp. Fanshawe didn't relent in the set, going up 14-4 early. The Falcons won the second set in a much easier fashion than the first set, making the score 2-0 on the match after winning the set with a score of 25-12.

Fanshawe looked to take the match in the third set and sweep the Condors, and began with an early lead with the assistance of a kill by Christina O'Neill. Conestoga would not go down without a fight however, and eventually won the long and close set 25- 23 to force a fourth and decisive set.

The Condors continued the final set of the match with the momentum they had in the third set, taking an early 13-8 lead to start. Fanshawe was able to score strategic points and keep Conestoga close, and were back in the match late with a score of 21-18. After a strong performance by Taylor Mc- Donald, the Falcons won the game 26-24 and the match with a score of 3-1 sets.

The Falcons next game was on Sunday, Nov. 1 when the Sheridan Bruins came to London. In the first set, the two teams kept battling back and forth for points, keeping the score close enough to be tied 16-16. At this critical point of the set, the Falcons took control of the offense, with Sheridan calling a timeout after the Falcons went up for a 19-16 lead. The Falcons didn't look back from that point and went on to win the first set with a score of 25-18, only allowing two more Bruins' points after the timeout.

Sheridan responded with a strong start in the second set, going up 4-1 for an early lead and maintaining it until Fanshawe's Gropp struck again and tied the score at 11. Two aces by McDonald gave the Falcons their first lead in the set. Sheridan made the game interesting by scoring a string of points to tie the game at 23-23. However, the Falcons scored a pair of points to win the second set 25-23 over the Bruins

In contrast to the second set, the third set was close from the beginning. The Falcons went up 9- 6 early, starting with a kill by Falcons Kristen Bond. The Bruins briefly overcame the Falcons to take a 15-14 advantage until Fanshawe retook the lead with on a block by Allysha Couch. Couch then added to her performance and ended the set with a kill to win 25-20 in a three game sweep.

The Falcons play their next game on Saturday, November 14, when they take on Boreal Vipères at home at 6 p.m.