Women's Volleyball | 10/22/2016 12:32:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Elmira box | Elmira-Hartwick box | Hartwick box | Updated stats
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Host Nazareth closed out its Empire 8 Conference schedule for women's volleyball Saturday as the Golden Flyers knocked off Elmira and Hartwick to improve to 20-8 overall and 6-2 in conference matches.

Nazareth swept Elmira in three sets by scores of 25-17, 25-16, 25-21 and needed four sets to defeat Hartwick 22-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-16. The Golden Flyers will be the third seed for next month's E8 Tournament. Pairings and times will be determined later.

Senior Cady Messmer totaled 24 kills in the two matches and needs just 12 more to reach 1,000 for her career. She was honored before the Hartwick match as she and fellow seniors Mallory Cobb, Sarah McMahon, Maureen Thayer and Rachel Williamson were competing in their final regular-season home match. 

Messmer combined nine kills with 11 digs as Nazareth downed Elmira in three efficient sets.

Messmer and sophomore Carmen Sapp each had four kills in the opening set as Nazareth surged to an early advantage. The Golden Flyers had 16 kills overall in the opening set for a strong .345 hitting percentage.

Nazareth was equally dominant in the second set with Messmer picking up three more kills while senior Maureen Thayer had four digs.

The third set was the closest of the three with Elmira squaring the set at 21-21 before Nazareth reeled off the last four points to end the match. First Messmer had her ninth and final kill of the match to put Nazareth ahead for good, then kills by freshmen Delaney Martin and Melissa Newcomb were sandwiched around a block by Sapp to give Nazareth the win.

In addition to Messmer, Kelsey Milligan added seven kills and Newcomb had five. Thayer posted 27 assists and seven digs, while Martin and Cordero each had two service aces.

Against Hartwick, Messmer led all players with 15 kills, while Milligan added 10. Thayer had 41 assists, four aces and 12 digs and sophomore Celia Cordero had 20 digs.

Nazareth committed 12 hitting errors to let the first set slip away. They rebounded well in posting hitting percentages of .300 and .375 to take sets two and three respectively. Messmer and Sapp each had four kills in the second set and Messmer added six more in the third.

The fourth set was tied at 13-13 before Nazareth pulled away as Martin, Messmer and Milligan each knocked down three kills.

Nazareth returns to action next weekend at the New York Challenge hosted by NYU. Nazareth plays NYU Friday at 4 p.m., then Rowan and Rochester Saturday.