Box l Updated Stats

ROCHESTER, N.Y – The Nazareth women's volleyball squad rallied after taking the first two sets, defeating Rowan University Saturday morning in a five set thriller (25-23, 25-23, 26-28, 23-25, 15-7) at the New York State Challenge, held at Kidera Gymnasium.  It was the Golden Flyers final tune-up before they travel to Stevens Institute for the Empire 8 Championship next weekend. Cady Messmer and Maureen Thayer earned all-tournament honors.

After dropping consecutive sets Nazareth bounced back to take the fifth and deciding set.  Nazareth jumped out to a 9-5 lead and cruised for the 15-7 win.
In a closely contested first set, Nazareth broke a 23-23 tie on back-to-back kills from Messmer and Carmen Sapp.

Nazareth trailed 20-16 in the second set, however, the Golden Flyers ripped off five straight points to take the lead.  After the Profs came to within one point at 24-23, Messmer finished off the set with her fourth kill of the set.

The Golden Flyers were on the doorstep to closing the match out in three sets after holding a 24-19 advantage but Rowan was able to overcome the deficit to get on the board.

Messmer finished with 19 kills on a .250 attack percentage, while Kelsey Milligan chipped in 12.  Olivia Krick notched 24 digs.

Thayer racked up 46 assists to go along with 13 digs.

Nazareth returns to action next Saturday for the Empire 8 semifinals hosted at top-seeded Stevens Institute.  The Golden Flyers will square off against second-seeded Ithaca at 2:30 p.m.  on Saturday.  The winner will meet the victor of the first semifinal game, which features No. 1 Stevens and No.  4 Elmira.  The Championship game is scheduled for a 12 p.m. start time on Sunday.