University Park, Pa. – After staking their claim to four straight Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association division games, Saint Francis ran into the zenith of the Tait Division on Saturday evening, the undefeated, second-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, losing in three straight games (21-30, 13-30, 17-30).  This match marked SFU's first road game since venturing to Columbus to take on Ohio State all the way back on January 20.

Sophomore outside hitters Nick Rivett (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) and Jordan Varee (Meadville, Pa./Conneaut Valley) paced the Flash with five kills each.  Both hitters attacked 16 times, but Varee erred twice more than Rivett with four errors. Rivett had the Flash's only service ace. Sophomore outside hitter Dave Reilly (Yardley, Pa./Pennsbury) had three kills on nine attempts with two digs. Sophomores Pete Freyer (Orchard Park, N.Y./Orchard Park and Patrick McManamon (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) both accounted for two kills.  Freyer swatted for .333 on six attempts.  McManamon had one dig, one solo block and one blocking helper.

Junior setter Shane Conley (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) put up the most assists for Saint Francis in 13 while sophomore libero Markus Schulze (Berlin, Germany/Anne-Frank) stabilized the defense with five digs.

“We knew coming into tonight's match, we had out hands full in playing the second ranked team in the country,” Mike Rumbaugh, head coach for Saint Francis, stated.  “Penn State is a terrific ball club, possibly the strongest I've ever seen them house.  Many of our inefficiencies were due to Penn State's assets.  The boys have a little time to recuperate over break, but they must retain their focus as they take on a hungry Princeton team in a couple weeks.”

The Nittany Lions outkilled the Flash 19-10, 16-6 and 19-6, respectively, in each game.  Penn State dominated each offensive and defensive category in all three games.  Penn State's Matt Anderson led all scorers with 19 kills and attacked at a .500 clip.

After the setback, Saint Francis (9-7, 5-2) still holds a significant lead over George Mason in the Tait Division standings.  The Red Flash return back to action on Friday, March 7, as they travel to Elizabeth, N.J. to take on the Princeton Tigers.  Saint Francis took down the Tigers, 3-1, on February 15.