Columbus, Ohio – In the second match of Saint Francis' Midwest weekend loop, the Red Flash ran into an Ohio State Buckeyes (MIVA) buzz saw that compiled an astonishing .479 hitting percentage (56 kills / 94 attempts) en route to a 3-0 sweep in Sunday evening's contest.

The Red Flash never got settled in St. John Arena as the Buckeyes came out strong from the first serve, suffocating the Flash in the first game by a count of 30-19.  Game two offered glimpses of hope for the Flash, but in the end, the 30-25 score sent SFU into a retreat.  Saint Francis was controlled by OSU's physical play in game three, 30-16.

“Ohio State was a much more physically dominating team,” head coach Mike Rumbaugh offered.  “We knew this was going to be a tough trip, but we just have to learn from out mistakes and try and amass a chunk of wins in our eleven game home stand.”

Saint Francis' hitting percentage of .128 (25 kills/78 attempts/15 errors) paled in comparison to the Buckeye's strong performance.  OSU tallied 49 assists to SFU's 25 and 31 digs to the Flash's 23.  Saint Francis served up three aces, while Ohio State tossed up four, despite registering nine more service errors than the Flash over the course of the match.  There wasn't much difference on the frontline as OSU stuffed the Flash four times, whereas SFU returned the favor only twice.

Sophomore outside hitter Jordan Varee (Meadville, Pa./Conneault Valley) once again guided the Flash in the kills and digs department.  Varee landed ten kills despite hitting for .094 on the night.  Varee chalked up five digs, as did senior leader Mark Steele (Martinsburgh, Pa./Central Martinsburgh) who was slotted in at the Libero position for the first time this season.  Varee also affixed a block and an ace to his statistical output on the evening.

Sophomore Nick Rivett (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) was second on the squad with seven kills, hitting for .333 on the night.  In addition, Rivett record three digs.

Sophomore Pete Freyer (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park) earned the Flash three kills on five attempts and one block.  Sophomore Dave Reilly (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) earned more time under Rumbaugh's direction, turning in one of SFU's three service aces, four digs, and two kills.  6'6 Sophomore Patrick McManamon (Huntington, Pa./Huntington) produced a block and a kill for the Flash, as well.

Junior setter Shane Conley (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) paced Saint Francis with 22 assists, in addition to three digs and a kill.

Despite going 0-2 in the Flash's first road trip of 2008, the spikers will remain in the comfy confines of Loretto until February 22.  The Red Flash (1-3) launch an 11 game home stand starting on Friday, January 25.  They will play host to perennial powerhouse Penn State at DeGol Arena at 7:00pm.