GRANTHAM, Pa. – Capping off their regular season home campaign, the No. 14 Messiah men's volleyball carried forward their success against another conference opponent, the Widener Pride. On Wednesday night, Messiah achieved a 3-0 sweep (25-12, 25-21, 30-28) over the Pride to extend their winning streak to 17 matches. Despite a stalemate final set and a strong final effort by the Pride, the Falcons managed to hang on by a score of 30-28 in the final set to secure the sweep. 
 
Adam Casper guided the Falcons efforts with 9 kills while Zac Barbato earned 8 kills with a .500 hitting percentage. Jared Keul dominated in assists, picking up 31 to support the team's scoring. 
 
Following the sweep, the Falcons progress to 11-0 in the conference and 19-3 overall. Messiah will be in action next this Saturday against Stevens and Arcadia in a conference Tri-Match in Glenside, Pa. to wrap-up their regular season. 
 
How It Happened
The Falcons commenced their match on Wednesday against the Pride beginning with a commanding 6-1 lead in the opening set. Messiah maintained their control throughout the set, never allowing the Pride to catch-up. Though Widener went on a four-point tear towards the end of the set, Messiah still maintained a 12-point lead, which carried them to the eventual 25-12 victory in the set. Mason Nissley bolstered the Falcons scoring with six kills while Connor Stauffer (two kills) and Ryan Givens (three kills) each had their hand in the set. As a team, Messiah hit .588 with 12 kills and only two errors. 
 
Though the Falcons had control in the first set, they were subject to an early second set deficit of 6-2. Nonetheless, Messiah was able to battle back and regain the lead at 11-9. Tying the set in five separate occasions, the Falcons were able to fend off a stronger second game by the Pride. Late in the set, the Falcons and Pride were level at 21-21. After four straight points, the Falcons secured the set victory by a score of 25-21. Adam Casper and Connor Stauffer led the scoring in the set with three kills apiece, while Owen Hanzelman earned an rare kill in the set, just his second of the season. 
 
In the third, Messiah earned a match-high 18 kills through a close-fought set. Though the Falcons experienced a 12-6 deficit midway through the set, they rallied back to go on a 12-6 run of their own to tie things up at 18-18. Eventually, after back and forth scoring from each side, Messiah was able to edge out a 30-28 victory, avoiding an imposed fourth set. Zac Barbato and Adam Casper led the scoring in the set with six and five kills respectively.
 
What's Up Next
With a 17th-straight victory, Messiah hopes to continue their success in their final regular season matches against Stevens and Arcadia this Saturday. Saturday's match against Stevens will carry a little extra weight. Both the Falcons and Ducks enter the final weekend of the regular season with undefeated conference records. The winner of their match on Saturday will secure the top seed in next week's MAC Championship Tournament. Messiah has already clinched at least the second seed and will host a MAC Semifinal match on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.