GRANTHAM, Pa.– Eastern University Men's Volleyball pushed the defending MAC Champion Messiah College Falcons to the brink in the second set, but the Eagles were unable to consistently get past the big Messiah block and fell in three sets. Justin Flor had a team-high nine kills.

After dropping the opening set 25-17, the Eagles played point-for-point with their hosts in through the early part of the second. The Eagles were able to side out consistently and built a 22-19 lead on  a three-point run with Lucas Adam at the service line. The Falcons rallied with four points in a row before Flor stopped the run with his seventh kill in the set. The Falcons earned a sideout and closed out the set at 26-24 on a service ace.

Up 2-0, the Falcons pounded out a .556 hitting percentage in running away with the third set. The Eagles were on the defensive, and faced with the big Messiah block, struggled to find any offensive rhythm.

"They were able to run their offense at a very high pace," Head Coach Randy Syracuse said after the match. "Their setter [Matt Knab] was really able to dictate the tempo and push the speed past where we are playing at this time. We had our chances in the second set, but we were unable to finish the final points. Even as the third set did not go well, our team hung together and continued to support each other. We will continue to work on playing faster and with more consistency."

The Eagles are back in Central Pa. this weekend with a pair of matches at Lancaster Bible College.