NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - The Falcons took down St. Mary's College (Md.) in four sets (22-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18) and dropped the match against Christopher Newport in three sets (25-21, 25-20, 25-16).

Match One: Messiah Defeats St. Mary's College (Md.) 3-1 (22-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18)
In The Box Score
Leading the attack for Messiah were Mary Underman (12) and Lanae Hunsberger (11), both registering 10-plus kills. Messiah had Amanda Dahlman (17), Natalie Marsch (14), and Heston Cowoski (12) collect double-digit digs. Payton Manwaring was in on six blocks through the four sets. Heston Cowoski registered 27 assists while Katie Wilcox and Amanda Dahlman chimed in for 16 and seven respectively. Jessica Zellers collected two aces with Natalie Marsch and Amanda Dahlman each registered one of their own as well. 

How It Happened
The Falcons started the first match with a kill from Payton Manwaring but the Osprey's turned things around quickly, taking a 6-3 lead. From here, St. Mary's maintained steady possession of the lead, pulling ahead to 18-11 before the Falcons began a small run to get back into the set. The small charge was highlighted by kills from Kate Preudhomme, Mary Underman, and Hannah Berger. Messiah's push helped them pull within three of the Ospreys with the score held at 21-18 but St. Mary's would on to take the set 25-22. 

In the second started with an attack error on the Ospreys but Messiah found them self down 4-1 moments later after a service ace and a kill from St. Mary's. This would be the largest lead the Ospreys would hold for the rest of the game as Messiah stormed back into the set with multiple kills from Mary Underman, Lanae Hunsberger, Hannah Berger, Natalie Marsch, and Payton Manwaring. Heavy pressure and errors on the Ospreys would help Messiah take a 17-11 lead before St. Mary's tried to make a comeback. The Ospreys closed the gap to a two-point lead for the Falcons but Messiah utilized a handful of Osprey errors and a kill from Mary Underman to take the second set 25-22.

The Falcons came out swinging in the third set as they collected 15 kills and a match-high .250 hitting percentage. Messiah started this set with a kill from Kate Preudhomme and wouldn't look back as they maintained the advantage all the way through the set. The Osprey's were only able to pull within two before the Falcons used four-straight kills from Lanae Hunsberger, Hannah Berger, and Mary Underman to highlight their charge to the finish of this set. 

The fourth set proved to be a battle at the start as Messiah played from behind until the 25th point of the match that gave them the 13-12 lead. From there, Messiah allowed just six more points from the Ospreys as they utilized kills from Payton Manwaring, Kate Preudhomme, Mary Underman, and Hannah Berger to take the set 25-18. 

Match Two: Christopher Newport Defeats Messiah 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25-16)
In The Box Score
Kate Preudhomme (7), Hannah Berger (6), and Natalie Marsch (5) registered the kills for the Falcons against Christopher Newport. Katie Wilcox collected 12 assists and accumulated eight digs through the three sets while Amanda Dahlman collected 14 digs for the Messiah defense. Jessica Zellers (2) and Heston Cowoski (1) both earned service aces in today's match.
 
The Quick Story
The first set was the closest on the day as Messiah fought their way to 22 points before CNU could put the match away. In the second set, Messiah found their self in another battle with the Captains as this set ended 25-20. Messiah dropped the third set with a 25-16 score. As a team, the Falcons swung at a .153 clip while collecting 28 kills with 13 errors. 

What's Up Next
Messiah will travel to Reading, PA to play their sixth conference game of the season against Alvernia University on Oct. 9, at 7:00 p.m.