HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Messiah men's volleyball team got in the win column with a 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-20) sweep of the Mount Union Purple Raiders on Friday night. Messiah trailed early in the opening set, but rallied to take the set and claim the sweep for their first victory of the 2022 season.
 
Mason Nissley led the Falcons with 14 kills and three service aces. Matt Knab dished out 32 assists in the three-set match.
 
Messiah will be back in action on Saturday morning at 11:00 a.m. when they take on Southern Virginia in Altoona, Pa.
 
Falcons Earn the Sweep
The Purple Raiders jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the opening set, but the Falcons battled back by winning five of the next seven points to pull within one at 8-7. Mount Union continued to hold the upper hand later in the set with an 18-17 lead. Behind consecutive service aces from Mason Nissley, Messiah won five-straight points to take a 22-18 lead. The Falcons went on to win the set 25-22 with a Luke Olson service ace claiming the set.
 
In the second set, Messiah used runs of 6-1 and 6-2 to stay in the driver's seat. They clinched their second set of the night by a final score of 25-21 to take a 2-0 lead. Nissley led the Falcons with six kills in the set.
 
The Falcons, who opened up a 15-10 lead midway through the set and eventually led by as many as six at 18-12, had to hold off a late charge from the Purple Raiders. Mount Union closed the gap to as few as two at 20-18, but Messiah won five of the final seven points to clinch the set, 25-20 and the match, 3-0.
 
In the Box Score
As mentioned, Nissley led the Falcons with 14 kills on 27 swings, committing four errors for .370 hitting percentage. Middle hitters Nate Bowman and Ryan Givens were dominate, combining for 13 kills on just 29 swings with one error. Setter Matt Knab dished out 32 assists.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons have a quick turnaround as Messiah is back in action on Saturday morning against the Southern Virginia Knights in Altoona, Pa.