OWING MILLS, Md. - The Messiah college women's volleyball team was swept by Stevenson University 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-13) in their opening match of MAC Commonwealth conference play. Braedyn Gallagher led the team with nine kills, Jennifer Rusling finished with 22 assist, and defensivley Amanda Dahlman had 13 digs. The Falcons fall to 1-3 on the year with the loss.

Competed Early, Struggled Late
The Falcons competed in the first set early, and neither team really dominated until the Mustangs pulled away late. With the score tied at seven, two kills by outside hitter Braedyn Gallagher gave Messiah a 9-7 edge, but Stevenson answered with two-straight points to even the score. 
 
Later in the set the Falcons kept pressing, and trailing 19-16, a kill by Alycia Park-Ferretti cut the lead 19-17, but the Mustangs responded big with a six-point scoring run to finish out the first set. Errors were most certainly a factor in this set as Messiah committed 10 and finished with just a .33 attack percentage.
 
The second set played out very much like the first set with Messiah holding their ground against Stevenson, but again a late-game surge plagued the Falcons. Trailing early 7-5, three unanswered points gave Messiah their first lead of the set 8-7. Kate Preudhomme and Ellen Musselman each provided a kill, while Heston Cowoski recorded a service ace in the scoring run. Later with the score 10-9 in favor of Stevenson, three-straight points extended their edge 13-9, but Messiah answered big with four-straight points to tie the game at 13.
 
Not long after the Falcons found themselves in a similar position with the score 17-15, the Mustangs went on a five-point scoring run which proved to be a pivotal moment. Messiah showed some fight with two back-to-back kills to pull within five 22-17, but Stevenson scored the remaining three points of the set to go on and win 25-17.
 
Overpowered
Messiah struggled in the third set falling behind early and the offensive struggle continued. With the score 10-4 in favor of Stevenson, a kill from Mary Underman and one from Jennifer Rusling cut the lead 10-6. Later, however, trailing 13-7, the Mustangs utilized a seven-point scoring run to pull away and extend their lead to double digits 20-7.
 
The Falcons continued to fight and responded with four-straight points of their own but it wasn't enough as the Mustangs went on to win the third set 25-13.
 
While tonight proved to be an off night for the Falcons, they showed moments of fight and will get back to work looking to this weekend. They play Friday at 5:00 p.m. against Swarthmore College and play both Juniata and Ithaca College on Saturday in Huntingdon, Pa.