SELINSGROVE, PA - Susquehanna women's volleyball fell to Messiah University 3-0 Friday evening inside Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium. The Falcons took the opening set 25-22 before edging the River Hawks 28-26 in a tightly contested second set. Messiah closed out the match with a 25-16 victory in the third set.
How It Went Down
- Susquehanna opened the match with an early advantage in the first set, using a pair of kills from Camille Ince and an Emma Nkanza service ace to establish a 5-3 lead. The River Hawks continued to trade points with the Falcons, with Ella Lefelon adding a kill and Makenzie Cober contributing an important point at the net. After Messiah pulled even at 9-9, the teams continued exchanging points through a 13-13 tie. However, the Falcons used a key stretch of offense to create separation, building an 18-14 advantage. Susquehanna attempted to rally late, getting a service ace from Lefelon and another from Lauren Halsey while cutting the deficit to 23-21. Messiah held off the comeback attempt to take the opening set 25-22.
- The second set featured an even more competitive battle as the River Hawks looked to even the match. Susquehanna jumped out to an early 2-0 lead behind an Addison Dodge kill and a Messiah attack error. The River Hawks continued to find success offensively, with Ince delivering consecutive kills and Stella Robinson and Dodge combining for a block to help build an 11-6 advantage. Messiah responded with a run of its own, eventually drawing even at 17-17. Susquehanna answered with consecutive points, including a kill from Dodge and a Messiah attack error, to move ahead 19-17. The teams traded points down the stretch, with Ince and Lefelon delivering key kills to keep the River Hawks in front. After Messiah reached set point at 24-22, Susquehanna battled back with a Lefelon kill and another Messiah error to force extra points. Ince delivered another kill to tie the set at 26-26, but the Falcons captured the final two points to escape with a 28-26 victory.
- Messiah carried that momentum into the third set, jumping out to a 5-2 advantage before extending its lead to 8-4. Susquehanna continued to battle, with kills from Lefelon, Dodge and Olivia Lupole helping the River Hawks stay within reach. Ince added another service ace, while the Susquehanna blocking unit continued to make its presence felt with a pair of blocks involving Dodge and Ince. However, the Falcons gradually extended their advantage behind a strong offensive attack, building a 16-9 lead. The River Hawks continued to compete at the net, with Dodge and Ince contributing kills, but Messiah closed the match with a 25-16 third-set victory to secure the straight-set win.
Inside the Box Score
- Camille Ince led the River Hawks with 12 kills while adding two service aces and eight digs.
- Addison Dodge contributed five kills and paced the Susquehanna blocking effort with four total blocks.
- Ella Lefelon also finished with five kills, adding a service ace and a block.
- Callie Wince led the defensive effort with 16 digs while contributing three assists.
- Lauren Halsey distributed 12 assists and added 10 digs for a double-double.
- Emma Nkanza recorded nine assists and two service aces.
- Susquehanna finished with 31 kills, seven service aces and five total blocks.
Up Next for the River Hawks
- Susquehanna returns to action Saturday, November 7, with a pair of matches at Misericordia University. The River Hawks will face Kean University at 2 p.m. before taking on the host Cougars at 4 p.m.
