Lady Falcons Sweep Conference Championship

TEMPLE TERRACE, Fla. - Championship host Florida College secured their first Continental Athletic Conference title without dropping a set in the tournament.

They took on #2 Florida National in the first match of the tournament 25-21, 25-16 and 25-21. Senior Emma Noskey led the Falcons with 14 kills and digs followed by junior Adriana Bravo with nine kills and 16 digs. Florida College flaunted a .204 hitting percentage compared to the Conquistador's slim .093. The Lady Falcons had four with double digits in digs, with a total of 71 digs for the match. Sophomore Avery Lanning led with 19 and senior Emilie Selvidge pitched in 12.

The Lady Falcons faced #4 Fisher College for the first time this season and defeated them 25-19, 25-9 and 25-19. Senior Krista Trimble had 11 kills with support from Selvidge, who supplied 28 assists to teammates over the match. Noskey led the match for both teams in digs, with a total of 25. Florida College only had 12 total errors in the match compared to Fisher's 19.

#3 Haskell Indian Nations University was the only team that defeated Florida College in the regular season, so the Falcons knew that they would need to be on their A game going into their last match of the day. The Falcons tallied 38 kills compared to the Fightin' Indians 11. Noskey once again secured 14 kills and Bravo added nine of her own. Selvidge added 26 assists, 18 digs and had five kills as well.

The standings of the previous day stayed the same for the second day of the tournament, with Florida College ranked first, followed by Florida National in second, Haskell Indian Nations University in third, and Fisher College in fourth.

The Lady Falcons had a rough performance in the semifinal game against Fisher College, resulting in three close matches with scores of 25-19, 25-19 and 25-20. Noskey once again led Florida College with 14 kills and Trimble pitched in nine. Selvidge tallied 29 assists and 14 digs in the 3-0 victory.

Florida College once again met Florida National in the championship game after losing to them in four close sets the previous year. The Falcons had a strong .248 hitting percentage and shut down the Conquistadors to take the championship title in three sets 25-16, 25-17 and 25-19. Trimble led the Falcons with 13 kills assisted by Noskey with 10 and Bravo with nine. Selvidge had 30 of the Falcons' 35 assists and added 13 digs. Lanning had a fantastic performance and also added 22 digs of her own. The last point of the match was earned after an out-of-bounds serve by the Conquistadors. The Red Sea stormed the court, and the Lady Falcons celebrated their first championship title and a number of awards.

Adriana Bravo, Emma Noskey, Krista Trimble and Emilie Selvidge made the All-Tournament team. Selvidge also received the honor of being named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

"We have talked about winning the championship all year after we lost in the championship last year. It was our goal to make it to that moment. It's one of the best feelings in the world to accomplish what you have been working so hard on for so long," added Selvidge. "I'm so proud of my team and how hard we have worked to become the best we can be to win the conference championship. I love all the effort that has been put in by everyone and I am so excited for nationals."

"After losing in the championship match last year, my girls have kept that chip on their shoulder and have used it as their motivation. Our theme after losing, quickly became "earn it" for this year. All summer and season we have talked about each person's role and the importance of each role and how nothing is given to us, that we must earn everything. Their focus and heart were amazing to watch in the tournament. At one point during the middle of the match, I teared up because they were playing their hearts out and competing so well. They didn't drop a set in the whole tournament! I'm so proud of them for earning this, and becoming the 2022 CAC Champions," said head coach Carry Brown.

The Lady Falcons secured the conference's automatic bid to the NAIA national tournament and will take on #4 Concordia University (Neb.) on Saturday.