Box Score
with Tim Bontiz, GoMessiah.com reporter
Reading, PA – The Messiah College Falcons (8-6, 3-1) swept the Alvernia University Crusaders (5-6, 2-2) in a Commonwealth Conference match up Tuesday night 26-24, 25-12, and 25-20.
The opening set saw a back-and-forth contest between the Falcons and Crusaders. Messiah was able to break the stalemate and go up 20-16 with a kill by senior outside hitter
Lauren Rees. However, unforced errors by the Falcons would allow the Crusaders back in the set and tie 20-20. Messiah pushed the score to 24-21, but Alvernia would again tie the set to 24-24. Yet another timely
Lauren Rees kill-- and an unforced Crusader error-- ended the set 26-24 in favor of Messiah.
Messiah would carry their momentum into the second set and jumped to an early 12-5 lead forcing a Crusader timeout. The Falcons would go on a 13-7 run and won the set 25-12.
The Falcons started strong again in the third set and established a 12-10 lead. Messiah would go on a seven point run, extending the lead to 19-10. Alvernia would fight their way back into the set but Messiah would prove to be too much, winning the decisive set 25-20.
Messiah was anchored by junior setter
Jessica Geib who dished out 33 assists. Senior outside hitter
Lauren Rees and senior middle hitter
Lindsay King recorded double digit kills to lead Messiah with 11 and 10, respectively.
Alvernia's Tori Beck delivered 21 assists in the loss.
Messiah will next travel to the nation's capital on this weekend and face Shenandoah University, Geneva College and Washington & Lee University in the Gallaudet tournament.
