Everyone has heard the infamous quote, “There is no 'I' in TEAM.” Well, as clichéd as this might sound, it seems to be holding true for the women’s basketball team at Friends University.

On Dec. 2, the Falcons started their regular season at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina. The women didn’t come out playing as strongly as they had in recent games.  However head coach Gayla Soyez only played the top seven or eight players for the first 20 minutes of the game.

“We didn’t need to bury somebody,” Soyez said.

Although the Falcons left Salina with the victory, 64-41,  Soyez said that Kansas Wesleyan is in a new phase of its program and that with more experience, the Coyotes will continue to improve during the season.

Saturday night proved to be the first real test for Friends in conference play as the Falcons traveled to Tabor College. The women were leading by seven points with 4:30 left in the half. At this point in the game the Falcons were doing some good things, playing as a team and getting some good stops. However, things started to turn around when the Falcons gave up several transition buckets and ended the half tied 22-22.

After halftime the team let down defensively, started playing as individuals and quit trusting in each other.  The Falcons did regain some momentum in the second half by only being down by five.  However, after missing eight free-throw opportunities, the Falcons lost control of the game.

“Our mentality failed us. In the past we have found a way to win as a team, but we didn’t step up to do that,” Soyez said.

The Falcons were defeated by the Blue Jays, 51-61.

But the team is in no way disheartened by the one loss. This upcoming week they play Sterling and Ottawa, both at home. 

“For the most part when we play as a team we can beat anybody. It’s just getting consistent and playing as a team,” junior Kelsey Brown said.

The Falcons are also looking forward to their Christmas vacation when they will travel to Hawaii to play basketball, relax and build team unity.