LANCASTER, Pa. - In final home contest of the regular season, the Franklin & Marshall Volleyball team swept Messiah on Friday night. The win matched last year's regular season win total of 16. 

The opening game featured 12 ties and nine lead changes with neither team being in front by more than five. After the Falcons took a 14-12 edge, the Diplomats responded with a 6-1 run to take the lead for good. With F&M in front 22-20, the Diplomats won the final three points to win the set. 

Trailing 2-1 to begin the second frame, F&M used a 4-0 run to stay in front the rest of the way. After the Diplomats won five consecutive rallies to increase the advantage to 10-3, Messiah won four of the next five points to stay within striking distance. However, F&M later distanced themselves with a 19-11 lead, following a 4-0 run. Rei Baker ended the set with a kill as the Diplomats took their second set of the tilt. 

Though F&M jumped out to a 7-0 advantage in the third game, led by four Coco Shultz serving aces, the Falcons rallied to even the score at 14-14. Moments later, however, the Diplomats won six of seven points to go up 21-16. Immediately after, Messiah tied the game again with five straight points, but F&M hung on to a 25-21 win to clinch the match. 

Sydney Levins led the team with 12 kills on the night, while Meredith Mangum drew closer to 1,000 career digs with 17. Liah Perez also provided 21 assists. 

The Diplomats will close out the regular season with a three-game road trip, beginning with McDaniel on Wednesday, November 1 at 7 p.m.