GRANTHAM – Pa, The Messiah women's volleyball team fell in four sets to the Mustangs (19-25, 25-14, 25-21, 25-18) the Falcons dropped to 9-5 on the season and 1-1 in the conference.
 
The Falcons will be back in action Saturday Sept 26 to host a Tri Match against Lebanon Valley College and Rosemont College. 
 
How It Happened
The match got off to a fast and furious start as both teams exchanged points from the jump. The Falcons managed to go on a four-point run, getting help off a couple Mustang errors. However, the Mustangs would answer with a five-point run of their own to grab a 9-8 lead. Messiah did not go away, as they proceeded to score nine out of the next 11 points to grab a hold of a 18-11 lead. Anna Weldon, Mackenzie Feight, and Cassidy Dell all contributed during the run. The Falcons would pull away late extending their lead to 24-15, however the Mustangs would make a late comeback, bringing the score to within five. With the help of a dominant effort at the net from Chayney Barnhart and Dell, along with a strong attack game, the Falcons would take set one 25-19. 
 
Heading into set two Stevenson came out strong, jumping to an early 11-7 lead. However, the Falcons would not go away, chipping away at the lead, cutting it to within three. With the score sitting at 15-12, the Mustangs would begin to pull away late, extending their lead to 21-14. Messiah would not be able to respond, as the Mustangs tied the match at 1-1 with a 25-14 set two victory.
 
With the Match tied at one all, both teams came out swinging. Barnhart, Katie Quesenberry, and Dell led the scoring for the Falcons. With the score sitting at 10-10 both teams continued to battle exchanging points through the 15-15 mark. However, the Mustangs took advantage of a three-point run to take a late 19-16 lead. Messiah would fight back but it would be Stevenson who would take the pivotal third set 25-21 to lead the match 2-1.
 
Continuing to be the trend of the day, both squads came out the gate aggressive. The Mustangs would go on a three-point run to take a 11-7 lead however, the Falcons responded with a three-point run of their own to bring the score to within one. Sitting at 11-10, Stevenson did not let up, scoring four out of the next six to take a 15-12 lead. The Mustangs continued to apply pressure late into the match extending their lead to 19-15. The Falcons were not able to find momentum, as the Mustangs took the final set 25-18 and the match 3-1. 
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons drop to 9-5 on the season and will be back in action Saturday Sept 30 to host a Tri-Match against Lebanon Valley College and Rosemont College. First match is set to begin at 11:00 a.m.