Box Score OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Sophomore and championship Most Valuable Player Annika Schwartz totaled 32 kills and 17 digs as top-seeded Stevenson University won its fourth straight MAC Commonwealth women's volleyball title with a 3-1 win over second-seeded Messiah College Saturday evening at Owings Mills Gymnasium. The Mustangs (28-7) earn the conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Championship that begins next weekend.
The set scores were 25-17, 25-21, 25-22, 25-22.
Schwartz' 32 kills are a single-match program record, eclipsing the previous mark of 26. It also marks the single-match high in kills in a four-set match in Division III this season.
The win marks Stevenson's 15th straight victory. The Mustangs have captured all four MAC Commonwealth championships since joining the league in 2012, defeating Messiah each time. Stevenson will be making its fifth straight and fifth overall NCAA appearance. The field will be announced on Monday, Nov. 9 at 11 a.m. at www.NCAA.com.
Freshman Moriah Savage added 10 kills for Stevenson, which also got nine kills from Kelsey Stave. Deanna Bradbury racked up 35 digs, with Kristen Brooks notching 25, while Sara Bollinger handed out 56 assists.
Messiah was led by Kristen Douglas' 15 kills.
Stevenson took control of the first set with five straight points to build a 16-8 lead following back-to-back kills by Schwartz. Messiah cut the lead to five twice, but Stevenson had the last three points to seal the win. Schwartz had 12 kills in the first set.
The second set saw four ties early before Stevenson took a 9-8 lead on a Messiah attack error. The Falcons hung close throughout the set and were within 22-20, but a Kelly McKenzie kill closed it out.
Messiah led for much of the third set, with the Mustangs forging a final tie at 18-18. Stevenson couldn't get over the hump and the Falcons ran off three straight points to take a 21-18 lead. Trailing 24-19, Stevenson attempted to rally, recording three straight points, but a Douglas kill kept the Falcons alive.
Stevenson opened a 10-5 lead in the fourth set before the Falcons gradually chipped away and tied the set 22-22. The hosts responded with kills by Schwartz and Stave, and a Messiah attack error ended the contest.
Annika Schwartz was named tournament MVP after totaling 32 kills and 17 digs Saturday.
