Falcons Battle Through Tough Stretch, Show Grit and Growth on the Court
The Folsom Lake College women's volleyball team faced two of the toughest programs in the conference this past week, falling to American River and Cosumnes River but showing determination, key individual performances, and flashes of strong team play that point toward continued growth for the Falcons.
Falcons Compete Hard in Home Battle vs. American River (Oct. 31)
In front of their home crowd, the Falcons came out strong against American River, nearly stealing the first set before ultimately falling in straight sets (23–25, 14–25, 15–25).
Folsom Lake played their best volleyball early, with Erin Ayers leading the offense with nine kills and a solid .212 hitting percentage. Setter Lola Quintanar ran the offense efficiently, tallying 14 assists while also contributing a service ace and strong defensive work with seven digs.
Ella Triplett added energy at the net with two kills and four block assists, while Olivia Kay made a major impact off the bench, hitting .600 with three kills on five swings. Jadyn Alexander also chipped in two kills and two blocks, continuing to be a steady defensive presence in the middle.
Despite the loss, the Falcons showed composure and teamwork in long rallies, especially in the opening frame, where they kept pace with a veteran American River squad that is among the region's top programs.
Ayers and Quintanar Shine in Road Effort vs. Cosumnes River (Nov. 5)
Just a few days later, the Falcons hit the road to face a talented Cosumnes River team and once again battled hard, dropping a 0–3 decision (20–25, 12–25, 21–25) but finding momentum in the final set.
Erin Ayers continued her standout stretch with an impressive 11 kills and two service aces while hitting .258 — her most efficient outing in recent weeks. Mikayla MacPhail added five kills, and Ella Triplett and Sydnie Cross contributed timely swings at the net.
Defensively, Ava Pham anchored the back row with 12 digs, while Lola Quintanar dished out 22 assists and picked up 13 digs in a strong all-around effort. The Falcons' hustle was evident, as they tallied 56 digs as a team — one of their highest totals of the season.
Though the scores didn't go their way, the Falcons showed growth in offensive execution and defensive coverage, particularly in the opening and closing sets.
Looking Ahead
With continued development from key hitters like Ayers, Triplett, and Kay — and the leadership of Quintanar running the offense — the Falcons are building a foundation for future success. Their resilience through a challenging schedule and their ability to stay competitive against top teams reflect a group that's improving with every match.
As the season winds down, Folsom Lake remains focused on progress and teamwork — qualities that promise a bright outlook for the program moving forward.