GRANTHAM, Pa. - Messiah won both matches in their home opener on Saturday, defeating McDaniel College 3-1 (25-15, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17) in the opener and Eastern University 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-21) in the afternoon tilt.
 
The Falcons were paced by Mary Underman and Payton Manwaring against the Green Terror, recording 12 and 10 kills respectively. Senior Lanae Hunsberger recorded a team high 13 kills for Messiah against Eastern, as well as Kristen Seibert recording 38 assists.

The undefeated Falcons are back in action Wednesday night on Jordan Court when they open up conference play against Hood College at 7:00 p.m.

Messiah defats McDaniel College 3-1 (25-15, 21-25, 25-19, 25-17)
In set one, both teams traded points early, knotting the set up at seven a-piece. After a McDaniel point, the Falcons exploded to a 6-0 run to take a 13-8 lead. Leading the Falcons with three kills during the run was Mary Underman.

McDaniel got to within four at 16-12 off some Falcon errors before Messiah went on another 6-0 run to take a commanding 22-12 lead. The Falcons took advantage of some sloppy play by the Green Terror during the run. McDaniel was not able to make a late charge, losing game one 25-15.

Messiah jumped out to a 9-4 lead in game two with the help of five McDaniel errors. The Green Terror jumped right back into the set, getting to within three at 10-7.

Both teams traded runs after this point, as McDaniel used two Abigail Hernandez service aces to power a 5-0 run and give McDaniel a 12-11 lead. Messiah came right back with a 4-0 run of their own, being paced by two Kate Preudhomme kills to grab the lead at 15-12. McDaniel then went on a 9-2 run to give them the advantage in the set at 21-17. Marlowe Embry recorded three of her 12 kills in the match during this run. Messiah eventually fell in game two 25-21.

Both teams traded points throughout the third set, with no team being able to get the upper hand. With things tied at 17, the Falcons broke through with a 3-0 run to take a 20-17 lead. McDaniel worked back to within one after two consecutive Emma Lorenzen kills, making the score 20-19. Messiah then shut the door with a 5-0 run, taking advantage of three Green Terror errors along with a kill from Lanae Hunsberger and Payton Manwaring to take the set 25-19 and go up 2-1 in the match.

Both teams continued to go point for point in the fourth game, battling to an 8-8 tie. Messiah then grabbed the advantage with an 8-3 run that was capped off by an Underman service ace to give the Falcons a 16-11 lead. Messiah was able to push their lead to 19-12 before McDaniel rattled off four straight points with two of them coming off Lorenzen kills. This made the score 19-16 before the Falcons were able to right the ship and go on a 6-1 run that gave them a 25-17 set win and a 3-1 match win.

Messiah defeats Eastern University 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-21)
Five Falcons helped push Messiah to a 12-7 lead at the beginning of game one with Marsch, Underman, Hunsberger and Manwaring all recording a pair of kills. Messiah continued to hold the momentum in the set, as they pushed their lead to 20-12 before the Eagles used two Ally Spillane service aces to fuel a 5-2 run and get Eastern to within five at 22-17. The rally was not meant to be for Eastern though as the Falcons came away with a 25-17 win in set one.

After things were tied up early in game two, Messiah made a 5-0 run to take the lead at 9-4 with the help of two Underman kills. Messiah extended their lead to 13-6 before Eastern rallied back to within five with a 3-1 run. The Falcons continued to hold off Eastern in this set, being aided by some Eagles errors as they led 20-14. Eastern was able to move to within four at 21-17, but Messiah won the set 25-19 when they went on a 4-2 run that was capped off by two Eagles attack errors. The Falcons took a 2-0 lead in the match.

Eastern jumped out to a 15-10 lead in set three with a pair of Eagles recording three kills in Lindsey Heisey and Caroline Shelby. The Falcons were not done however, storming back with a 9-2 run that was led by Underman and Natalie Marsch's two kills a-piece. This made the score 19-17 in favor of Messiah.

The Falcons were able to continue their hot stretch with a 6-4 run that gave them the 25-21 victory in set three. During this run, Lanae Hunsberger recorded four kills.

What's Up Next
The Falcons recorded their sixth straight victory on Saturday afternoon, and moved to 6-0 on the season. Messiah is back in action on Wednesday, as they host their first conference foe of the season in the Hood Blazers at 7:00 p.m. on Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena.