GETTYSBURG, PA – The Buffalo State women's volleyball team fell in their first matchup of the 'Gettysburg Invite', 3-2, to the Messiah University Falcons.
GAME BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Messiah University – 3, Buffalo State – 2
SET SCORES: (21-25, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21, 10-15)
LOCATION: Bream Gymnasium – Gettysburg, PA
RECORDS: Buffalo State: 1-1 (0-0 SUNYAC), Messiah University: 1-1 (0-0 MAC Commonwealth)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Ella Wittman (Cheektowaga, NY/Springville-Griffith) led the Bengals with 16 kills, with Anel Acosta (North Tonawanda, NY/North Tonawanda) adding ten kills in support.
- April Jakubowski (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) led the Bengals with 21 assists, while Alex Arroyo (Nesconset, NY/Smithtown East) finished with 18 assists.
- Defensively, Hailey Kulniszewski (Elma, NY/Iroquois) led the Bengals with 17 digs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Competing in the 'Gettysburg Invite', the Bengals looked to start their weekend off strong with a victory over the Messiah University Falcons. In the first set, the Bengals and the Falcons traded points before the Falcons went on a three-point run to take an early advantage in this matchup. This would lead the Bengals to play from behind and try to keep pace with the Falcons. A three-point rally late in the set would put the Bengals in position to steal the first set, but the Falcons would find the finish line first, claiming the first set win.
- The second set would see the Bengals strike first, storming out of the gate with a five-straight-point run to open play. As play went on, the Bengals left a window for the Falcons to get back in this set, though the Bengals maintained their lead late in the game. A three-point run would find the Bengals close to a set win, but the Falcons would respond with a four-point rally to take the second set, putting the Bengals in position for a three-set sweep.
- With their backs against the wall, the Bengals would ride the momentum wave in the third set, answering an early three-point run by the Falcons with a four-point rally of their own. This would lead to another stretch of point trading with the Falcons before the Bengals strung together another four-point rally late, finishing the set strong and taking their first set win of the matchup.
- The third-set momentum was what the Bengals needed, as they opened the fourth set on an eight-straight-point run, taking a commanding set lead over the Falcons. This lead would prove beneficial for the Bengals, as it gave them enough room to withstand an ambitious Falcons' chase throughout the set. After a four-point rally put the Falcons back on the heels of the Bengals, it wouldn't be enough, as the Bengals would finish strong, forcing a fifth set between these two teams.
- In the fifth and final set, the Bengals would continue their strong play with an opening three-point run. However, the Bengals would fall behind following a seven-point rally by the Falcons, who'd used this run to drop the Bengals in five sets in this opening matchup of the 'Gettysburg Invite'.
FOR THE FOES
- Sydney Wolfe led the Falcons with 16 kills, while Clara Conner led all players with 47 assists.
UP NEXT
The Bengals will continue their showing in the 'Gettysburg Invite' with two matchups tomorrow, beginning with host Gettysburg College at 11:00 AM, before closing the day with an afternoon matchup against Marymount University at 1:30 PM.
