MECHANICSBURG, Pa. - The Widener University women's volleyball team fought hard in its first MAC Commonwealth Championship appearance since 2018, but it unfortunately lost in the play-in round against fourth-seeded Messiah, 25-15, 25-20, 25-13, on Monday night at Messiah University. 

The loss put the Pride at 19-10 on the season. The 19 wins are the most for the Blue and Gold in a season since 2011, when it had a 22-11 mark.  

HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST MESSIAH 

• Playing in the MAC Commonwealth Championship for the third time in the last five seasons, the Pride came out tough, trading points with the Falcons until 7-7. However, the Falcons went on an 18-7 run to take the opening set. 
• In the second set, the Pride rallied back from a seven-point deficit to tie the set at 20 following a 10-3 run. Unfortunately, Messiah scored the last five points of the set to win it. Seniors Alnisha Saintilus and Carly Venit led the Pride's rally in the set with two kills apiece. 
• In the final set, the Pride kept the Falcons in sight by making it a 9-9 game. However, Messiah pulled away by going on a 16-3 run to take the match. 
• Saintilus and Venit led the Pride with five kills apiece. Saintilus finished with 177 kills on the season, while Venit had 143. Both players, along with sophomore Lilyanna Martucci (190) and first-year Shannon Toomey (152) finished in the top 25 in the MAC Commonwealth in that category. 
• Megan Barthol had nine assists for Widener. The sophomore ended the year with 512 assists, which was good for seventh in the MAC Commonwealth. 
• Madeline Dutterer made 10 digs to lead the Pride in that category. Dutterer's digs allowed her to move finish as the leader of the MAC Commonwealth in total digs with 493.