HARRISONBURG, VA. – The Messiah Mens Volleyball team finishes the Eastern Mennonite tournament 2-1 after defeating both Bethany College 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-11) and Eastern Mennonite 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-23) Saturday evening. The Falcons dropped only one set on the day capping off an impressive tournament.
 
Over the weekend Ryan Givens tallied 23 kills in two matches. While Jacob Hamm finished with 19 kills over two matches.
 
The Falcons will be back in action against Kings College of Pa Tuesday Feb 27^th.
 
Messiah defeats Bethany College – 3-0 (25-8, 25-12, 25-11)
The Falcons dominated the majority of the sets against the Bison from start to finish. The Falcons outhit the Bison by an outstanding .571 to -.143 on the day. Messiah managed to hold the Bison to just 13 total kills and 16 points, while scoring 34 kills on 49 attacks and 40 total points in the match. Christian Wolf (9 kills, 1.000%), Brayden Parks (8 Kills, .333%), and Sean Gillespie (6 Kills, .625%) all put out strong performances offensively. While Jonathan Nixon put together 28 assists while on surrendering one error.
 
Messiah defeats Eastern Mennonite University – 3-1 (23-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-23)
Despite falling to the Royals in set one, the Falcons responded winning the last three sets to cap off the tournament. Ryan Givens had an outstanding match collecting 20 kills on 31 attacks, hitting .581% overall. Jacob Hamm performed strongly for the Falcons providing 12 kills and two blocks. Noah Aurdos put together another high assist total finishing the match with 27, while Brandon Sharp finished not far behind with 15 assists.
 
Set One
The Falcons opened up the set taking a hold of a 10-7 lead with kills from, Givens, Hamm, Jake Eby, and Alex Kagoro. However, the Royals put together a 6-3 run to take a 13-10 advantage heading into the midway point. The Falcons would respond with a 3-0 run of their own tying the set at 13-13. From that mark on both teams would exchange points until an attack error from Eby to make the score 20-18 shifted the momentum. The Royals would end the set on a 7-3 run to take the first set 25-23.
 
Set Two
The Falcons responded well in the second set quickly grabbing a 9-3 lead which included starting the match scoring the first five points. However, the Royals would not be discouraged going on an 8-2 run over the next ten points to tie the set at 11-11. Following a Givens kill, both teams would exchange points up until the 17-16 mark of the set where the Falcons would end the match scoring nine of the final 12 points to take the set 25-19.
 
Set Three
Both teams struck early and often to begin the third set as the Falcons grabbed a 10-8 lead. Over the next 13 points, Messiah would take advantage of a couple Royals errors and kills from Givens, Eby, and Hamm to go on a 8-5 run taking a 18-13 lead late in the set. The Royals did what they could to keep it close but could not stop the Falcons offense as Messiah took a 2-1 match lead winning the third set 25-19.
 
Set Four
Messiah would again continue to trend of hot starts in the fourth set grabbing an early 7-6 lead. The Falcons would gain contributions from Conner Stauffer, Sean Gillespie, and Kagoro over an 5-3 run to take a 12-9 advantage heading into the midway mark. The Royals would go on a 10-6 run scoring five straight points to tie the set at 18-18. However, the Falcons would finish strong getting points from multiple Royal errors and kills from Givens and Hamm to secure the 25-23 victory winning the match 3-1.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will be back home against Kings College of Pa Tuesday, Feb 27 at 7:00 p.m.