GRANTHAM, PA. – On Saturday evening, the Messiah women's volleyball team defeated Eastern University 3-2 (25-19, 25-23, 17-25, 21-25, 25-7) to win their first MAC Commonwealth Championship in program history. The Falcons dominated set one, not surrendering a single lead in the entire set winning it 25-17. The second set was very competitive as both teams exchanged points throughout. However, a late 6-2 run from Messiah gave them a 25-23 win. The Eagles came out hot in the third set needing to mount a comeback. Eastern would do just that snatching the third set from Messiah 25-17. Down 2-1 in the match, despite trailing 8-4 early the Eagles stormed back on a 10-1 run to capture a 14-9 lead. From that point on Eastern held full control of the set to win it 25-17 and force a fifth set.
Chayney Barnhart and
Sarah Hart picked up a couple points early to give Messiah a 7-2 lead. Following the side switch at 8-3,
Cassidy Dell and Hart scored points to extend the lead to 11-5. The Falcons would than close out the game on a 4-0 run behind
Makenzie Adams four kills to give Messiah the 15-7 win.
Up Next
The Falcons will now sit and wait until Monday, Nov. 18 at 1:00p.m. to find out their NCAA tournament opponent.
How It Happened
Set One
The Falcons held full control of the opening set. Throughout its entirety the Falcons would not surrender a single lead. Behind
Sarah Hart,
Cassidy Dell, and
Katie Quesenberry the Falcons would take an early 10-3 lead. The Eagles were able to cut the deficit to 11-9 following an 4-0 run. However, Messiah responded well extending their lead to 16-10 never to look back. Following a late 8-0 run from the Falcons to give them a 24-13 lead, the Eagles would go on a run of their own. Despite Eastern scoring six of the final seven, Messiah would win the opening set 25-19.
Set Two
The second set was much more competitive as both teams exchanged leads throughout. Through the opening portion of the set, the Eagles would hold an 10-7 advantage. However,
Chayney Barnharts back-to-back kills provided a spark for the Falcons as they went on to tie the set 12-12. A couple of kills later, and Messiah captured an 16-14 lead at the midway mark. Despite surrendering an 21-19 lead late, the Falcons closed out the set scoring six of the final eight points to win it 25-23.
Set Three
The third set was not kind to the Falcons, as the Eagles took control early on and never looked back. The Eagles would grab an early 11-5 lead, but a 5-1 run from the Falcons cut the deficit to 12-10. However, Eastern went on to score eight of the next nine to extend their lead to 20-11. Despite a last-ditch attempt to mount a comeback, Messiah fell short losing set three 25-17.
Set Four
Messiah started strong to begin the fourth set, taking advantage of four Eastern errors to take an early 5-2 lead. Over the next stretch of points,
Julia Bowen and Hart would help the Falcons hold a 9-7 lead. However, another pivotal 7-0 run from the Eagles gave them a 14-9 advantage. Despite the Falcons fined some success from
Makenzie Adams and Dell, Eastern continued to score extending their lead to 19-16. Following an 4-0 Eastern run, Messiah went on to score four straight points of their own to cut the lead to 23-20. However, Eastern would close out it three points later to tie the set at 2-2.
Set Five
Now entering the fifth and final set, the Falcons were able to take advantage of three Eastern errors to take a 6-1 lead. Following a couple of point exchanges from Dell and Eastern, the Falcons held a 10-5 lead. Needing just five more point to clinch a MAC championship,
Aunyka Uresti serves, and
Makenzie Adams offensive fire power led them to score five of the final seven points to win the set 15-7. Messiah would capture the first MAC Commonwealth title in program history.
Stats
Cassidy Dell,
Makenzie Adams, and
Sarah Hart each would score 12 kills to lead the team.
Emma Swartz led the way with 22 assists, while
Cassidy Dell tallied 17.
Caitlin Lielbriedis was strong defensively picking up 26 digs in the win.
What's Up Next
The Falcons will now await their opponent in the NCAA Tournament. The selection show is set for Monday, Nov. 18
th at 1:00p.m.
