GRANTHAM, PA. – On Saturday morning, the Messiah women's volleyball defeated both Penn State Berks 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-20) and Penn College 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-11) to wrap up the Messiah Tri-Match. Against Penn State Berks, the Falcons dominated from start to finish. In set one, the Falcons cruised to an 25-11 win thanks to a dominant defensive performance. In set two, Messiah put up another strong performance from the back row as well as on the front line lifting the Falcons to another 25-11 win. The final set saw push back from the Lions of Penn State Berks. However, Messiah persevered to finish the sweep with an 25-20 win in match one of the Messiah Tri-Match. In the final match of the day, the Falcons cruised to a win over Penn College. In set one, the Wildcats had no answer for Messiahs offense as the Falcons flew to an quick 25-8 win. In set two, a persistent attack from Cassidy Dell and Cynthia Boller paved the way to an 25-13 win. In set three, Messiahs offense again stepped up, tallying a total of five service aces in the 25-11 win. 
 
Up Next: The Falcons will take on MAC Commonwealth opponent Stevenson University Tuesday, Oct. 1st.  

Messiah defeats Penn State Berks 3-0 (25-11, 25-11, 25-20)
 
Set One
The Falcons got off to a strong start, taking five of the first seven points to hold an 5-2 lead early in the set. Following a 3-0 run from the Lions, Messiah rallied with a 7-0 run of their own extend their lead to 12-5. Sarah Harts two service aces, along with a couple kills from Makenzie Adams led the way during the run. The Lions were able to sneak two points in there to halt the run. However, Katie Quesenberry got in on the ace party, with two of her own during another 5-0 run to lead 17-8. The Falcons would close out the set scoring nine of the final 12 points to win the set 25-11.
 
Set Two
Messiah again got off to a fast start, quickly grabbing a hold of an 8-2 lead. After a couple of point exchanges between the teams, the Falcons took advantage of five Lion errors on a 7-0 run, as they now held a 19- 7 lead. The Lions did their best to score when they could but, a couple of Caitlin Lielbriedis aces, and kills from Adams, and Katie Quesenberry gave the Falcons a 25-11 set two win.
 
Set Three
The trend continued for Messiah, getting out to another fast start. Cassidy Dell and Hart allowed the Falcons to hold a 6-1 lead. The Lions however, kept fighting back, scoring points through the next couple of possessions. Following a Lion point to cut the score to 9-6, the Falcons went on to score six of the next eight points, including three straight Aunyka Uresti service aces to grab a 15-8 advantage. Penn State Berks managed to find a rhythm late, scoring six of the next nine to cut the deficit to 18-14. Both teams continued to trade points, but the Lions comeback was too little too late, as the Falcons took set three 25-20 with Hannah Thomas closing out the match with another Falcon service ace.
 
Messiah defeats Penn College 3-0 (25-8, 25-13, 25-11)
 
Set One
The Falcons wasted no time jumping on the Wildcats. Messiah began set one with an impressive 9-0 run, behind points from Sarah Hart, Cassidy Dell, and Chayney Barnhart. The Wildcats would break the run, scoring three of the next six points. However, Messiah went on to score six of the next seven to hold a 15-5 lead. The Falcons continued to pour it on, closing out the set scoring 10 of the last 13 to win the set 25-8.
 
Set Two
The tables turned in favor of the Wildcats to begin set two. Penn College took a hold of an early 4-2 lead. However, an 8-1 Falcon run, led by Dell and Cynthia Boller allowed the Falcons to hold an 10-5 advantage. Penn College managed to sneak a couple points to slow down the Falcons. But, continued scoring from Makenzie Adams, Quesenberry, and Aunyka Uresti gave the Falcons a 18-8 lead. Messiah would close out the set scoring points in bunches, taking the 25- 13 set two win.
 
Set Three
To begin the third set, the Falcons found themselves only up 4-3 early in the set. However, Messiah's offense would again begin to shine. Led by Erin Ebys three service aces, and kills from Julia Bowen, and Sarah Hart, the Falcons scored 10 of the next 11 points to hold a 14-4 lead. The Wildcats took advantage of a couple Falcons errors to cut the deficit to 15-7. However, Messiah's offense was too much for Penn College to handle. The Falcons finished the set scoring 11 of the final 14 points to take set three 25-11.
 
What's Up Next
The Falcons will travel to Owings Mill, Md to take on Stevenson University Tuesday, Oct 1^st at 7:00p.m.
 
Stats
Between both matches, Falcons Cassidy Dell (6), Cynthia Boller (6), and Makenzie Adams (6) led the way in kills. Emma Swartz tallied a total of 21 assists, while Caitlin Lielbriedis picked up 32 total digs picking up her 1000 career dig. Aunyka Uresti (3), Sarah Hart (3), Erin Eby (3), and Emma Swartz (3) all notched three aces each.