Championship Page

GRANTHAM, Pa. (Men’s Volleyball) – The top-seeded Messiah Falcons captured their first conference title in men’s volleyball in thrilling fashion on Saturday evening. The Falcons erased a 2-0 deficit to defeat the second-seeded Stevenson Mustangs, 3-2, on Jordan Court in Hitchcock Arena to punch their ticket to the upcoming NCAA Division III Championship.
 
It was the second time this season Messiah (16-2) defeated Stevenson (13-4) after dropping the first two sets. The Falcons did so at home back on March 17.

On Saturday evening, Stevenson jumped out to a 2-0 lead with scores of 25-18, 25-13.
 
The Falcons were able to slow down the Mustangs’ momentum to win a closely contested third set by a score of 25-23 to extend the match. Messiah went on the take the fourth set 25-20 and the fifth set 15-11.
 
The Falcons senior setter Matt Knab was named the MAC Championship Most Valuable Player (MVP). Knab finished the match with 40 assists, six digs, three kills (.750) and three blocks. The senior added 54 assists, four digs, four blocks and three kills in the semifinal match against Alvernia to finish the tournament with 94 assists over nine sets.
 
Messiah’s Ian Parzyszek finished the match with 13 kills and 12 digs for a double-double. Mason Nissley (13) and Nate Bowman (11) also finished the match with double-digit kills. Bowman led the team with five of their 19 blocks and three of their six service aces.
 
Stevenson was impressive over the first two sets. Aleks Melbardis (19) and Logan Smiley (17) both came close to 20 kills in the match, while Melbardis hit .375. Grant Nelson led the Mustangs with 51 assists, and Mason Scott tallied 14 digs.

Messiah is the first team to punch their ticket to the 12-team NCAA Division III Championship that will take place in Salem, Va. on April 21-24. The selection show is scheduled for Monday at 10 a.m. on www.NCAA.com.