DALLAS, Pa. - The Messiah women's volleyball team caps off an undefeated day sweeping both New Jersey City University and the Misericordia Cougars.

Messiah defeats New Jersey City University (25-17, 25-14, 25-15)
The Falcons got on a run early scoring five out of the first eight to take an early 5-3 lead. However, the Gothic Knights would take advantage of multiple Falcon errors to stay within striking distance. Heading into the midway point of the set the Falcons would lead 15-11. Anna Weldon, Chayney Barnhart, and Mackenzie Feight would all contribute with kills early. The Knights would fight tough, but the Falcons continued to score in bunches eventually taking the first set 25-15. Both Weldon, and Barnhart finished the first set with four kills, while Cassidy Dell picked up seven assists. 

Heading into the second set, the Falcons picked up where they left off taking a quick 10-6 lead. Weldon, Banrhart, and Sarah Hart continue to do the majority of the damage for the Falcons. Following a Knight error, two Feight kills, and two Emma Swartz kills, Messiah found themselves up 15-7. From that point on the Knights could not get anything going as the Falcons extended their lead to 17-7 going on a seven point run. The Knights managed to score points late, but the Falcons would win the set 25-14, and take a 2-0 match lead.

Messiah's offense continued to roll heading into the third set, the Falcons took an early 12-6 lead. Feight, Leah Youtzy, and Swartz all scored early in the third set. However, the Gothic Knights would not go away quietly, chipping away the Falcon lead. Heading into the midway point Messiah led 15-10. The Gothic Knights fought hard, but in the end it would be the Falcons completing the 3-0 sweep (25-15, 25-14, 25-15). Both Feight and Barnhart led the Falcons in kills with nine, while Swartz tallied 16 assists in the match. 
 

Messiah defeats Misericordia - 3-0 (25-17, 25-12, 25-22)
Messiah finished their day by defeating Misericordia in three sets (25-17, 25-12, 25-22). Sarah Hart led the Falcons with 12 kills, and Emma Swartz put together another impressive performance picking up 18 assists in the match. 

The Falcons picked up where they left off from match number one, jumping to an early 11-5 lead against the Cougars. Messiah took advantage of multiple Cougar errors, along with contributions from Sarah Hart, Chayney Barnhart, and Katie Quesenberry. Heading into the midway point Messiah's lead dwindled down to 15-8. However, the Falcons continued to dominate the set increasing their lead to as large as nine. With the score sitting at 20-11, the Falcons would endure a late push from the Cougars. However, Messiah would win set one 25-17 and take a 1-0 match lead.

Messiah would again grab a hold of a 9-5 lead heading into the midway point of set two. However, the Cougars would begin to inch away at the Falcon lead coming to within two with the score sitting at 11-9. Messiah had other plans, led behind Hart, Barnhart, and Cassidy Dell, the Falcons extended their lead to 19-10 scoring eight out of nine points. Following a Sarah Hart attack error Messiah would not look back, going on to score six out of the last seven points to win the set 25-12. Both Hart, and Dell lead the Falcons in kills, while Barnhart has contributed three service aces to lead Messiah to a 2-0 match lead.

Heading into set three, the Falcons continued to dominate, taking an early 7-3 lead. Following a cougar timeout, Messiah would score seven out of 10 points to take a 14-6 lead heading into the midway point. From that point on the Falcons held total control of the set, extending their lead to 19-11. Barnhart, Weldon, and Hart did the majority of the damage for the Falcons. The Cougars caused a scare late managing to cut the lead to 22-18. However, Messiah prevailed in the end winning the set 25-22 completing the 3-0 sweep. 

What's Up Next
The Falcons improved to 15-6 on the season after defeating both opponents Saturday evening. Messiah will be back in action Wednesday Oct, 17 on the road against Hood College.