CHESTER, Pa. – The Messiah women's volleyball team posted a road victory at Widener University, 3-1 (25-10, 16-25, 25-20, 25-23), on Tuesday night.
Kristen Seibert fueled the Faclons' high-powered offense with 38 assists as
Mackenzie Feight recorded a game-high 16 kills, adding 15 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.
The Falcons, looking to extend their MAC Commonwealth record to 2-0, got off to a fast start in the first set.
Mackenzie Feight and
Kristen Seibert proved to be the offensive catalysts for Messiah, as Feight finished with three kills while Seibert dished out seven assists. In addition to earning 11 kills from six different contributors, the Falcons capitalized on several miscues from the Pride. Messiah took a 2-1 lead on two early errors from Widener and did not relinquish its lead throughout the set. Riding high on offensive momentum, the Falcons converted seven of the last eight points of the set to clinch the set one victory, 25-10, highlighted by a service ace from Seibert. The opening set victory featured a .529 hitting percentage from Messiah.
With a 1-0 lead in the match, Messiah had a chance to double its advantage in the second game. The Falcons jumped out to a 3-1 edge in the set, but five-consecutive points from Widener prompted a Messiah timeout. Despite not retaking the lead for the remainder of the set, the Falcons fought hard, earning four-straight points from a
Hailey Miller service ace and kills from
Caitlin Lielbriedis and Feight to tie the game at 8-8. The Pride won five of the next six points to extend a 13-9 lead, going on to win the set, 25-16. After the second game, Seibert totaled 13 assists and seven digs, as
Rachel Rashford and Feight each had five kills.
Leveling the score of the match at 1-1, Widener began the third set with three-straight points. The Falcons responded with a 4-0 run, powered by kills from
Rachel Garratt and Rashford. The two sides were level at 8-8 before Messiah rattled off five of the next six points to take a 13-9 advantage. Both Miller and Lielbriedis contributed successful swings during the scoring run. Messiah was able to close the door on Widener in the third game, winning the pivotal set, 25-20. Leading the match, 2-1, Seibert ended the third set with a double-double, notching 28 assists and 12 digs. The Falcons committed just three errors in the set, tallying 16 kills.
Messiah needed one more set victory to earn its fourth-consecutive victory of the season. The Falcons jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead behind kills from
Logan Wolfe and Feight, not giving up their lead until the Pride leveled the score at 6-6. The fourth game proved to be a close set as the two sides traded points throughout. Tied, 15-15, a crucial 4-0 scoring spurt put the Falcons ahead, 19-15, as a pair of attacking errors and two kills from
Tatum Oakley put Messiah in the driver's seat. The Pride battled back, as the two conference foes found themselves tied late in the set, 22-22. The Falcons ultimately prevailed behind untimely errors from the Pride, clinching the set, 25-23, and the match, 3-1.
With the victory, Messiah improves to 6-2 on the season, improving its MAC Commonwealth record to 2-0.
Inside The Box Score
Both Seibert and Feight recorded double-doubles for the Falcons. Seibert notched her third double-double of the season behind 38 assists and a season-high 19 digs, while Feight turned in her sixth double-double of the season with a game-high 16 kills and 15 digs. Rashford tallied double-digit kills (10) for the third time this season. The Falcons had a total of eight different players record kills as
Caitlin Lielbriedis matched her career-high with nine.
Amanda Dahlman and Garratt each contributed three service aces as Messiah totaled 10 in the match.
What's Up Next
Messiah (6-2, 2-0 MAC Commonwealth) will return to the court on Friday, Sept. 17, when it takes on Haverford College at Neumann University (Aston, Pa.), set to begin at 6:00 p.m.
