Photo Courtesy of Susquehanna Athletics
By Ashley Nace
Susquehanna dropped the first three sets to give Messiah the win in Friday night’s home match at O.W. Houts Gymnasium.
The River Hawks battled to keep the sets close, conceding the first set 25-22 and the second set 28-26.
Susquehanna led Messiah through the entire second set, earning each match point until Messiah’s 27-26 match point that won the set.
Senior libero Callie Wince had 16 digs on the night and made several saves to keep the River Hawks in the match.
“To stay focused and confident, I try and just remind myself that I know what to do and just let myself react after I make a read,” Wince said. “I honestly love the challenge of digging a hit so much, it’s my favorite part of the game.”
Junior setter Lauren Halsey also had 10 digs alongside first year outside hitter Camille Ince who totaled eight during the match.
The match featured several long rallies and saves from both sides of the net, each team making great defensive showings.
The first set was evenly matched until Messiah pulled ahead 20-14. Susquehanna bridged the gap to 21-19, but Messiah ultimately took the set.
“Being intentional with every touch we have on the ball and taking time to discuss strategies and slow things down in between plays helps us stay focused,” Wince said.
Though the second set swung more in Susquehanna’s favor, Messiah took the momentum in the third.
Messiah came out strong with an early four-point lead that lasted until the middle of the set when they pulled ahead 14-7.
Susquehanna tightened the set 19-16, but Messiah plowed ahead and took the set 25-16 to end the match.
The River Hawks created good attacking chances throughout the match, garnering 31 kills. Ince led the team in kills and Halsey led the team in assists, both with 12. Freshman setter Emma Nkanza recorded nine assists.
Susquehanna had seven aces to Messiah’s five, with Ince and Nkanza leading the team each with two.
“Our goal was to serve aggressively to get them out of system so we could shut down their pin hitters,” Wince said.
The match concluded Susquehanna’s home matches for the season as the regular season nears the end.
“Our goal is to finish strong in our last games, especially when we play Elizabethtown town in the first round of playoffs,” Wince said.
With two games remaining on their schedule, The River Hawks will look to use those games to prepare for the Landmark Conference playoffs. There first round oppoent will be Elizabethtown, who the River Hawks lost to on Oct 13 after a 3-0 sweep from the Blue Jays.
“We want a rematch against them, and we want to win,” Wince said.
Susquehanna will be back in action on Saturday, Nov 7 to participate in the Misericordia tournament. Then, the River Hawks will travel to Elizabethtown, PA for the first round of the Landmark Conference playoffs on Tuesday, Nov 10 at 7:00 p.m.