MECHANICSBURG, PA - The ninth-ranked Arcadia University men's volleyball team fell to Messiah College, 3-2, in the squad's conference opener. After dropping the first two sets, the Knights stormed back to force a fifth set, but narrowly fell in the final stanza, 15-13.
Jarod Pichler led the Knights attack with 17 kills, while
Austin Braas and
Dan Paraskevov finished with eight kills. Braas also led Arcadia with six blocks, while
Quinn Baily had a team-high 14 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Knights and Falcons went back-and-forth with the lead until late in the opening set. With the game knotted at 20-20, the Falcons rallied for four straight points to pull within one point of clinching the opening set. Messiah went on the win 25-21.
- The Falcons took a two set lead with a 26-24 victory in the second set. Messiah put themselves in position to win with three-straight points to take a 23-19 lead, however, the Knights answered with a 5-1 run to tie the game at 24-24. Messiah then scored two consecutive points to put the Knights on the brink of defeat.
- Arcadia answered with a decisive 25-19 victory in a must-win third set. The Knights cruised to a win with a 10-1 run midway through the stanza.
- The Knights won the fourth set, 25-22, to send the match to five sets. After Messiah tied the game at 14-14, Arcadia put together four-straight points to distance themselves from the Falcons, 18-14. Messiah answered back to cut their deficit to one point, but the Knights were able to survive and advance to the final set.
- The Falcons put together a 3-0 run to take a 9-5 lead midway through the set. With Messiah holding a 14-11 lead, the Knights avoided defeat with two-straight points, but were unable to complete the comeback as they fell 15-13 in the final stanza.
KNIGHT LEADERS
Kills: Pichler 17
Aces: Manley 2
Blocks: Braas 6, Moctezuma 5
Assists: Devantier 41
Digs: Baily 14
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Messiah held a 56-52 lead in kills.
- Arcadia tallied 12 blocks, while the Falcons recorded eight.
- The Falcons totaled a .230 hitting percentage, while the Knights had a .218 hitting percentage.
UP NEXT
The Knights (4-5, 0-1) return home to battle Hunter College and Rosemont College on Saturday afternoon.
