SELINSGROVE, Pa. – The Frostburg State volleyball team took a 3-0 loss at the hands of the Messiah Falcons to open the Hampton Inn River Hawk Classic, hosted by Susquehanna University.
 
FSU falls to 5-11 in the 25-21, 25-20 and 25-15 loss. Messiah's record increases to 8-5 on their season.
 
The first set started slow for the Bobcats, as Messiah scored four of the match's first five points, three of which came on attack errors from FSU. However, each time it looked like the Falcons were going to pull away, the Bobcats would claw their way back into contention, as they finally tied the set at 17-17. The score remained close, however the Falcons ended the set scoring three in a row after a timeout to take the set victory.
 
After facing an early 4-1 deficit in the second set, Frostburg rattled off seven of the next eight points, including a 4-0 run, to jump out to an 8-5 advantage. Junior Cori Smothers acquired two aces to lead the Bobcats to the early lead. Much like the first set, the second set was close throughout, as it featured five lead-changes. After a kill from FSU junior Biamba Tshitenge brought the score to 19-18 in favor of Messiah, the Falcons pulled away, taking the set, 25-20.
 
The third set featured a 10-0 run from Messiah, turning a 13-11 deficit into a 21-13 lead. Falcon sophomore Lanae Hunsberger led the assault with three kills during the stretch. Messiah would win the set, 25-18, to earn the match victory.
 
FSU was led by Smothers, who totaled four service aces and 11 digs, and by junior Ashante Corey-Bey, who had nine kills.
 
The Hampton Inn River Hawk Classic will continue tomorrow when FSU faces off against Rochester at 11:00 a.m., followed by a match against host Susquehanna at 1:00 p.m.