ASTON, Pa. - The Neumann University women's volleyball team wrapped up the 2019 Knights Invitational by splitting another pair of matches on Saturday. The Knights took down Rosemont College in the opening match of the day by a score of 3-0, before falling to Messiah College by a count of 3-0.
 
Much like yesterday, Neumann came out strong in its first match. The hosts dominated Rosemont from start to finish, winning all three games in the contest by double digits. The first game remained close at 16-12 until a 9-2 Neumann run ended in a 25-14 victory. The Knights then rolled to two consecutive wins in games two and three by the same 25-13 score line. Melanie Malseed was the difference maker in the win for Neumann, recording 15 kills and nine digs. Rachel Cray picked up 28 assists, while Hayley Glah led the tram in digs with 11.
 
The Knights could not keep their momentum rolling into their second match of the afternoon versus Messiah. A kill by Malseed midway through the first game of the match made it 11-10 in favor of the Falcons, but that was as close as the hosts would get the rest of the way. The Knights battled hard to stay in the game, but the visitors would pull away late to win 25-19.
 
The second game was even closer, as both teams took turns in the lead. A service ace by Cray gave the Knights a late 19-16 lead, but Messiah would not go away quietly. The Falcons fought back to tie the contest at 20-20 before closing the game on a 5-2 run to seal a 25-22 win. Using the late game two momentum, the Falcons then rolled to a comfortable victory in game three. With the game tied at 4-4, Messiah won six consecutive points to make it 10-4. The visitors would hold that lead the remainder of the game, cruising to a 25-16 win to seal the match. Malseed again led the team in kills with 14, while Glah picked up 14 digs and Cray notched 26 assists.

For her excellent play in the four games of the tournament, Malseed was the lone Neumann player to be named to the All-Tournament Team. 
 
Neumann (5-9) returns to action next Wednesday, September 25th when the team plays host to Elizabethtown College. Game-time is scheduled for 7:00 PM.