GRANTHAM, Pa. – On Thursday evening the Messiah women's volleyball team defeated Scranton University 3-2 (26-24, 25-22, 23-25, 24-26, 15-7) to close out the regular season. The Falcons were able to win two thrillers to grab a 2-0 match lead. However, the Royals responded well going on to win the next two putting myself in a tough spot to avoid getting reversed swept. Despite surrendering back-to-back losses, the Falcons would finish the fifth and final set strong winning it 15-7 to cap the regular season.
 
Up Next
The Falcons will host Stevenson University in the MAC Commonwealth Semifinal, Wednesday, Nov 13 at 7:00 p.m.
 
How It Happened
Set One
The Falcons found themselves in an early deficit trailing 5-2 to the Royals. However, Messiah slowly found their footing to capture an 9-6 lead. Cassidy Dell, Katie Quesenberry, and Sarah Hart all contributed during the run. The Royals were able to take advantage of multiple Falcon errors to tie the set up at 13-13, but Messiah stayed composed to knot it all up at 16-16. The Falcons would score five of the next six to capture a 20-18 lead but, the Royals were able to wiggle their way back into the set to take a late 22-21 advantage. Following a Makenzie Adams kill and two Royal errors the Falcons led 24-23 late. Despite Scranton tying it up late, Messiah went on to take set one 26-24.
 
Set Two
The Royals would jump out to a big 8-1 lead to begin the second set. Harts two kills would break up the run, but Scranton continued to stretch their lead to 12-5. However, stellar defense from Julia Bowen and Quesenberry led Messiah to five straight points to cut the deficit to 12-10. Following the big run, the Falcons continued to sway the momentum in their direction grabbing an 15-13 lead. However, despite the strong play from Messiah, the Royals never lost confidence to take a lead of their own at 17-16. Hart, Adams, and Caitlin Lielbriedis would trigger a spark for the Falcons to score six of the next seven to hold a 22-18 lead. Despite Scranton roaring back to cut the Falcon lead to 23-21, Messiah finished with two kills from Hart to win the set 25-22.
 
Set Three
The third set was very competitive to begin, both teams would exchange points early with Scranton grabbing an 8-5 advantage. Following a Messiah timeout, the Royals would score the next three points until back-to-back kills from Adams to stop the bleeding at 11-7. However, another 3-0 run from the Royals forced a second Falcon timeout as they extended their lead to 14-7. Messiah never wavered, despite being down big the senior Chayney Barnhart provided a boost with blocks and kills to cut the deficit to 15-10. Even with the boost, the Royals stayed on the attack extending their lead to 19-15. Though trailing, the Falcons completely flipped the switch scoring the next seven points to regain a 21-19 lead. Scranton didn't go away quietly; despite surrendering the lead they would creep back into the set to regain an 23-21 advantage. Even after kills from Cynthia Boller and Adams, the Royals would extend the match winning set three 25-23.
 
Set Four
Scranton came out the gates hot grabbing an early 4-1 lead. Even with points from Adams and Emma Swartz, the Royals managed to extend their lead to 9-4. Over the next stretch of points Messiah would score six straight to gain a 10-9 lead. As the set headed into the midway point, both teams traded blows with Messiah holding on to a 17-14 lead. Coming out of a Scranton timeout, the Royals scored the next four to capture a 18-17 advantage. The Royals began to pull away late, grabbing a 21-19 lead, but Messiah stayed persistent to take a hold of a 23-22 lead late in the set. However, it was not enough as Scranton forced a fifth and final set with a 26-24 set four victory.
 
Set Five
Despite surrendering back-to-back losses, the Falcons looked determined to close out the regular season on a high note. Barnhart, Lielbriedis, and Adams led the Falcons to an early 6-2 lead. Dell and Bowen were able to add key points as the Royals cut the lead to 9-5. However, the Falcons would close out the set scoring six of the final eight to win the final set 15-7 and the match 3-2.
 
Stats
Sarah Hard finished the match with a team high 14 kills. Cassidy Dell had an all-around performance with 21 assists and 21 digs. While Makenzie Adams tallied 13 kills and 14 digs in the win.
 
What's Up Next
The No.1 Messiah University Falcons will host No.4 Stevenson University Mustangs in the MAC Commonwealth semifinals Wednesday, No. 13th at 7:00p.m.