GRANTHAM, PA. – On Saturday morning, the Messiah women's volleyball team fell to the Bullets of Gettysburg in three sets (25-13, 25-23, 25-16). In the first match of the day, the Falcons faced a tough opponent in Gettysburg. Despite finding success from multiple players, the Falcons were unable to take down the Bullets at home. Chayney Barnhart led the team with nine kills and three blocks. Teammate Makenzie Adams, finished second in the team with eight kills, but put together three service aces. Cassidy Dell rounded out the leader-board with 14 assists and 13 digs. In match two of the day, the Falcons took down the Profs of Rowan University in three sets (25-19, 27-25, 25-20) to finish the Messiah Invitational.

Up Next: The Falcons will host Alvernia University Wednesday, Sept. 25th at 7:00p.m. 

Gettysburg defeats Messiah 3-0 (25-13, 25-23, 25-16)

Set One:
The Falcons opened the set scoring quick two points thanks to Makenize Adams and a Bullet attack error. However, Gettysburg responded with an 7-0 run to gain a 7-2 lead. Following a couple exchanges from both teams, the Falcons would capitalize off a couple kills from Chayney Barnhart and Julia Bowen to cut the deficit to 10-7. Gettysburg never wavered and would rally to score six of the next eight points to take an 16-9 lead. From that point on it would be all Gettysburg, they would go on to take the opening set 25-13.
 
Set Two:
Messiah came out fired up to begin the second set. Taking advantage of multiple Bullet errors allowed the Falcons to open up a 6-1 lead. Following a Falcon service ace, Messiah would once again go on 4-2 run, extending their lead to 10-3. Gettysburg continued to fight, but did not have an answer for Messiah's own Cassidy Dell, Adams, and Leah Youtzy. Before the Bullets knew what hit them, they found themselves trailing 17-8.  However, Gettysburg would respond in a big way. The Bullets would score seven of the next nine, cutting the deficit to 19-15. Sarah Hart, Adams, and Barnhart continued to provide the offense for Messiah. But the Bullets had stolen the momentum, rallying from behind to take a 23-22 lead. Adams went on to score the final point for Messiah, as the Bullets closed it out with two straight points winning the set 25-23.  
 
Set Three:
The Falcons would again capture an early 4-2 lead over the Bullets. However, Gettysburg seemed to have an answer, scoring six straight points. As the set went on, the Bullets found their points in bunches, limiting Messiah's momentum. The Falcons fought hard but could never get close enough to make a run. The Bullets went on to win the set 25-16, sweeping the Falcons.
 
What's Up Next:
The Falcons will be back in action at 5:00PM against Rowan University to close out the Messiah Invitational.

Messiah defeats Rowan University 3-0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-20)
 
Set One:
Both teams started strong in the opening portion of the set. It wasn't until a Chayney Barnhart kill, that would spark the Falcons run.  The Falcons went on to score six of the next nine to take an 10-6 lead heading into the midway point. Following a Prof point, Makenzie Adams, Sarah Hart, and a couple Prof errors allowed Messiah to extend their lead to 17-12. Rowan continued to battle within the set, but the Falcons were too much offensively, as they closed out the set 25-19.
 
Set Two:
The second set proved to be the most competitive set of the day for either team. The Profs would open the game scoring four of the first five to take an early 4-1 lead. However, the Falcons would wake up offensively and score eight of the next nine to regain an 9-5 advantage. Julia Bowen, Barnhart, and Hart all would contribute points to the Falcons run. Following a series of point exchanges, the score was knotted up at 15-15 in the midway point of the set. For the remainder of the set, it would be a seesaw battle as both teams kept exchanging leads. It wasn't until a three-point Prof run that gave Rowen an 21-18 advantage. However, points from Hart and Adams sparked the Falcons to tie the set up at 22-22. Coming down to the wire, both teams traded points with neither giving ground. But late points from Dell and Hart gave the Falcons the 27-25 win.
 
Set Three:
The third set began like set two as both squads traded points early. A three-point run from the Falcons extended their lead to 10-6. As the set went on, the Falcons held on to their lead gaining contributions from everyone on the floor. Following an 5-1 run from the Profs to cut the deficit to 17-14, the Falcons turned an 5-1 run of their own into a 22-15 lead. Katie Quesenberry would close out the set scoring two of the final three points to give the Falcons the 25-20 win.  
 
What's Up Next:
The Falcons will host their first MAC Commonwealth opponent, when they welcome Alvernia University Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 7:00p.m.