LANCASTER, Pa. – After a 6-0 run by Lancaster Bible, the Chargers held a 22-17 lead over the Messiah men's volleyball team in the opening set of their non-conference match on Wednesday night. Messiah responded with a 7-2 run to force extra points in the set. The Falcons eventually won the set 33-31 to take the opening set.
 
Messiah claimed the second and third sets by more traditional scores of 25-19 and 25-18 to earn their eighth-straight sweep, winning 3-0 (33-31, 25-19, 25-18).

A strong performance from the Falcons was an all around team effort as Mason Nissley notched 11 kills in the opening set alone before finishing the night with a match-high 22. Matt Knab was feeling generous as he handed out 39 assists while lead the team defensively was Owen Hanzelman who finished with 10 digs in the three-set sweep

The Falcons have now claimed 24-straight sets and as a result eight-straight matches and have improved to 10-3 on the season. The Falcons will be back in action on Friday night when they travel to Elizabethtown at 7:00 p.m.

How It Happened
A thrilling first set went back and fourth as the two teams traded kills. Each team was able to side out at an exceptional rate, but late in the set, things looked grim for the Falcons. After a 6-0 run by Lancaster Bible, the Chargers held a 22-17 lead over the Messiah men's volleyball team in the opening set. Messiah responded with a 7-2 run to force extra points in the set. The Falcons eventually won the set 33-31 to take the opening set. 
 
After a fierce fight in the first set, the second looked like it would be a repeat. Neither team led by more than a single point until late in the set. With a kill from Nissley, Messiah was able to separate and make things 15-13. With back to back kills by Nate Bowman and Ryan Givens, the Falcons jumped to a 18-15 lead the largest lead so far in the set. With a strong team performance, the Falcons finished off a with a 4-1 run and an exclamation mark off a service ace from Knab to finish the set at 25-19.

At this point the Flacons began to take advantage of the momentum they had gained. Kills from Luke Olson, Nissley, and Bowman propelled the Falcons through the third. Late in the match, Conner Stauffer stepped back to the service line to assist the Falcons on a 6-0 run to make things 21-14. The Falcons brought the night to a close from to Bowman kill, finishing the third at 25-18. 

What's Up Next
Messiah moves to 10-3 on the season and will be back in action this Friday night on the road against Elizabethtown at 7:00 p.m.