FREDERICK, Md. – The Hood College volleyball was unable to force extra sets against Middle Atlantic Conference opponent Messiah University, as the Blazers were swept in the conference match.
Set Scores
The Falcons defeated the Blazers 25-18, 25-19, 25-17.
Inside the Box Score
Charles Casas (Rehoboth Beach, Del./Cape Henlopen High School) led Hood with 13 kills.
Cameron Nugent (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional) totaled 14 assists.
Jayceon White (Milton, Del./Cape Henlopen) picked up six digs.
Brendan Stutz (Frederick, Md./Oakdale) collected two total blocks.
How it Happened
Messiah got off to a hot start with an 11-4 lead, extending it to 15-7 halfway through the set. Hood refused to go down without a fight though, with an 8-1 run led by kills from Casas and Stutz pulled the Blazers within one at 18-17. That would be as close as they would get, though, as the Falcons answered with a 7-1 run to take the first set and a 1-0 match lead.
Another 4-0 start for Messiah put doubt in the Hood fans early in the second set, but a 4-1 response from Casas and Stutz once again got them within one point. The two squads would go back and forth for several rallies before the Falcons jumped out to an 18-12 lead with a 4-1 run of their own late in the set. After that, Hood was unable to get multiple points in a row as Messiah closed out set two and put itself in position to sweep.
The Blazers took the first point of set three for their first lead of the match, but four straight points from the Falcons quickly saw them on the back foot once again. After both teams exchanged a couple two-point runs, Hood came up with another 4-1 run to tie the set at 15 thanks in part to an ace from
Sean Seely (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage High School). Five straight points for Messiah turned the mood sour quickly though, and the Blazers were unable to get close enough for overtime before the Falcons completed the 3-0 sweep.
For the Opponent
Jake Eby led Messiah with nine kills.
Jonathan Nixon ended the evening with 32 assists.
Up Next
Hood stays at home for a non-conference match against Penn State Schuylkill Wednesday, March 5 at 7 p.m.
