CHESTER Pa, - The Messiah Women's volleyball team traveled to Chester Pa, to face conference opponent Widener University. The Falcons earned the 3-0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-17) sweep to move to 1-0 in conference play, and 8-2 on the season. Mackenzie Feight led the Falcons with 12 kills, Sarah Hart ended with eight, and Katie Quesenberry finished with seven.
 
Messiah will be back in action Friday, Sept. 20 to open the Messiah Invitational against SUNY Brockport. Game is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.
 
How It Happened
Set one began with competitive play as both teams came out firing. Messiah would grab an early 10-8 lead; however, the Pride would quickly tie it at 10 a piece. The Falcons found some momentum, with Sarah Hart, Emma Swarts, and Chayney Barnhart would all score a point to extend a 13-10 lead. Widener would not go away, as they rattled off four straight points of their own to retake an 14-13 lead. The Falcons would take advantage of multiple pride errors, going on to score five of the next seven to give them a 20-16 lead late in set one. The Pride did battle back tying the game at 22, however three consecutive points from the Falcons gave them the 25-22 victory.
 
Heading into set two with an 1-0 lead, both teams came out strong. Similarly, to set one, the Falcons and the Pride would trade points early, as a Feight kill would tie it at 11 a piece. Following a point exchange the Pride would go on a five-point run to extend an 17-12 lead. However, the Falcons would respond, going on a five-point run of their own knotting the game at 17. From that moment on, it would be all Messiah. Cassidy Dell, Quesenbery, and Hart would all contribute late, as the Falcons scored 10 out of the last 12 points to win the set 25-21.
 
Up 2-0, the Falcons did not let up on the gas, jumping out to an early 10-3 lead. Feight, Barnhart, and Dell all would score during the stretch. The Pride continued to battle, but Messiah did not leave room for error, scoring points in bunches for the remainder of the match. Widener would manage to bring the score to within six, sitting at 20-14, however the Falcons would score five out of the last nine to take the set 25-17, and complete the 3-0 sweep.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will welcome four teams into the Messiah Invitational this weekend. Messiahs' first match will take place Friday, Sept. 22 against SUNY Brockport.