GRANTHAM, Pa. – The Albright Lions women's volleyball team was unable to overcome a hot-hitting Messiah squad as they were swept in straight-sets by the Falcons on Tuesday night in MAC Commonwealth play.
 
With the loss, the Lions drop to 9-12 overall and 1-6 in conference play. Meanwhile, the Falcons improve to 13-14 and 5-2 in MAC Commonwealth play as they tune up before the conference tournament.
 
Sophomore Brooke Franklin led the Lions with a team-high six kills, while classmate Kaitlyn Chell followed with four kills in addition to tallying 13 digs and a game-high three blocks. Sophomore Bryana Chambers added four kills as well with two blocks, and freshman Grace Serafin posted three kills plus three digs. Sophomore Alexa Poss paced the offense with 20 assists and senior Becca Davis led the defense with a team-high 15 digs.
 
The Lions battled with the Falcons early in set one as the lead traded hands three times and Messiah would not have a lead by more than three points. Albright pulled within one point at 10-9 before the Falcons won 11 of the next 12 points to take a commanding 21-10 lead behind eight kills. The Lions took three of the next four points to make it 22-13 until Messiah closed the first set out by taking the last three points. It was the Lions that took an early lead in the second set at 6-3 as they took advantage of a couple Falcons errors. Messiah struck back by taking three of the next four points to tie the game at seven before the Lions came back to take a 9-7 lead. However, the lead was short-lived as the Falcons won seven consecutive points to go up 14-9 The Lions would not get within four points the rest of the second set as the Falcons won eight of the last 11 of their points of the second set behind kills.
 
Albright went up 2-1 in the third set before the Falcons won seven of the next eight points to go up 8-3. The Lions continued to struggle to get back into the game as they were unable to get closer than four points early on as Messiah held a 13-9 lead. The Falcons then won six of the next seven points to take a 19-10 lead, and would cruise to close the final set out at 25-15.
 
The Falcons compiled a .310 hitting percentage compared to the Lions at .125. Each team tallied four blocks and Messiah held a 4-0 advantage in service aces. Lanae Hunsberger led the Falcons with a game-high 18 kills behind a .424 hitting percentage and Mary Underman followed with 12 kills.
 
The Lions will conclude the 2018 season on Thursday, October 25^th as they will host cross town rival Alvernia at 7 p.m.