WILKES BARRE, Pa. – Saturday evening, the Messiah women's volleyball team defeated Catholic University 3-0 (25-21, 25-16, 25-21) in the first match of the of the Wilkes University tri-match. Despite two close sets, the Falcons were dominant for all three facing little resistance to sweep the Cardinals in the opening match of the day. In the second match of the day Messiah defeated Wilkes University in four sets (23-25, 25-11, 25-11, 25-14) to win the Colonel tri-match. Following a tight set one loss, Messiah responded to pull out the reverse sweep as they move forward to face Eastern University. 
 
Up Next
The Falcons will take Eastern University Tuesday Nov 5th at 7:00p.m.
 
How It Happened
Set One
The opening set the tone for how the match would go. As both teams traded points early on, the Falcons held a slight 10-9. Chayney Barnhart, Makenzie Adams, and Katie Quesenberry got it going early with some nice kills. Following a couple of point exchanged at the midway mark of the set Messiah led 17-14. The Cardinals would find some rhythm late scoring five of the next six to cut the Falcon lead to 19-18. However, Barnhart and multiple Cardinal errors led the Falcons to an 25-21 set one win.
 
Set Two
The second set had a different trend, as the Falcons quickly jumped on the Cardinals to take an 7-2 lead. Following a Catholic timeout, Adams and Barnhart provided more offense to give Messiah an 12-6 advantage. As the set moved forward, Messiah was able to take advantage of multiple Cardinal errors to extend their lead to 18-11. After an 4-0 Catholic run, Sarah Hart, Adams, and Julia Bowen closed out the set 25-16 to capture an 2-0 set lead.
 
Set Three
To begin the third set, Catholic was determined to change the momentum grabbing an early 7-4 lead. However, following a Messiah timeout Kate Howe scoring three of the next four for the Falcons gave them a 9-7 lead. Over the next stretch of points, both teams traded possessions as the Falcons held an 15-14 lead at the midway mark. Emma Swartz and Cassidy Dell would tack on two more to give Messiah a three-point advantage. After an 5-1 run from the Cardinals, the Falcons scored the next five behind Howes services to give themselves an 23-19 lead. Following two Cardinal points Adams and a Catholic service error gave Messiah a 25-21 win.
 
Stats
Makenzie Adams finished with 11 kills to lead the team. Kate Howe tallied three service aces, while Emma Swartz put together 12 assists.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will take on Wilkes University in the final match of the day at 5:00p.m.

Messiah defeats Wilkes 3-1 (23-25, 25-11, 25-11, 25-14)
 
How It Happened
Set One
The Falcons got off to a strong start grabbing an early 6-3 lead. The Colonels would find their way back into the set, tying it at 8-8. Makenzie Adams, Katie Quesenberry, and Cassidy Dell all contributed through the early portion of the set. However, Wilkes would continue to build upon the start, extending their lead to 12-8. The Falcons however would catch fire getting points from Dell, Julia Bowen, and Adams to regain an 13-12 lead. As the match continued Wilkes offense stayed strong extending their lead to 17-15. Messiah responded well scoring four in a row to grab a late 20-18 lead. Despite the late success, Wilkes finished strong taking the opening set 25-23.
 
Set Two
After dropping the first set, Messiah responded well to begin the second set to grab an early 8-3 lead. The Falcons defense proved to be lights out, holding Wilkes to just four points heading into the midway mark as Adams, Bowen, Cynthia Boller, and Erin Eby all helped the Falcons extend their lead to 15-4. Following a quick two points from the Colonels, Messiah would score the next four behind Aunyka Uresti two service aces to bring the score to 20-6. The Falcons would close out the set 25-11 despite facing some late resistance to tie the match up at 1-1.
 
Set Three
As the third set kicked off, Messiah faced tough resistance trailing 10-9 early on. However, Messiah would rally to score seven of the next nine to take a 16-11 lead. Dells two service aces and kills from Quesenberry led the way during the run. As the matched continued Eby, Adams, and Bowen all would score to extend the Falcons lead to 22-13. The Falcons would close out the set holding Wilkes to one more point as they would win the set 25-14.
 
Set Four
Now leading 2-1 in the match the Falcons would again get off to a strong start leading 10-7 early on. As Swartz and Adams continued to score the Falcons lead grew to 14-7. Leah Youtzy would get in on the scoring along with Boller and Dell as Messiah extended their lead to 18-11. For the remainder of the set the Falcons would hold the Colonels to just three more points going on to win the set 25-14.
 
Stats
Makenzie Adams led the way with 18 kills. Emma Swartz tallied 21 assists and 13 digs, while Cassidy Dell finished with 17 assists and 13 digs.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will travel to MAC Commonwealth foe Eastern University in a match that will decide who hosts the MAC tournament. That match is set for Tuesday November 5^th at 7:00p.m.