LORETTO, Pa. (Jan. 17, 2010) – In front of a vociferous crowd and playing their best match of the season, the Red Flash men's volleyball team upset the #11-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in Loretto on Sunday.

The Red Flash improve to 3-1 overall, 0-1 in the EIVA Tait, while the Buckeyes fall to 1-4, with a 1-0 record in the MIVA.

Those searching for a reason for the historic victory (it was the first time the Red Flash had ever defeated the Buckeyes, a long-time power in the Midwest Intercollegiate Volleyball situation) might point to Jordan Varee (Conneautville, PA/Conneaut Valley)'s (Conneautville, Pa./Conneaut Valley) 20 kills and six digs, or the double-double of 10 kills and 10 digs Nick Rivett (Pittsburgh, PA/Fox Chapel) (Pittsburgh, Pa./Fox Chapel) posted.

However, head coach Mike Rumbaugh says the win was a true team effort, from top to bottom.

“That match was a great example of the depth of our team,” said Rumbaugh.  “We did not allow them to key on one or two guys, and they had to stay honest as a result.”

Take, for example, the play of middles Patrick McManamon (Huntingdon, PA/Huntingdon) (Huntingdon, Pa./Huntingdon) and John Skarupa (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegehny) (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny).  After beginning the season on the bench for the Red Flash, Skarupa excelled against Sacred Heart on January 16 and earned the start against the Buckeyes.  Skarupa keyed the 8-2 run in the first set for the Flash with two kills and a block, but afterwards tapered off.

Enter McManamon, who entered the match in the fourth set and delivered four kills that helped put the outcome in favor of Saint Francis.

“I give both of those guys so much credit,” said Rumbaugh.  “[Skarupa] has been working his tail off in practice, and he earned that start today with good play.  And [McManamon] kept his head up, didn't get down on himself, and he helped us win today.”

“His attitude was what I like to see,” said Rumbaugh.

After beginning the first set on an 8-2 run, the Red Flash never took the heat off the Buckeyes.  Ohio State would pull as close as two points to make it 11-9, but Saint Francis would build on their lead, extending it to 15-9 with a 4-0 run.

After the Buckeyes' 11-5 run tied the score at 20, the teams traded points to 21-21.  Rivett ripped a kill to make the score 22-21 and put the ball in the hands of Varee, who went back to serve.

What happened next was only being called “The Run” by those at the match, an eight-serve sequence that led to seven straight Red Flash points.  Varee notched an incredible four aces in that span, and one serve hit Ohio State's receiver so hard it came back over the net for Rivett to bury in the corner.  

“We've been working with Jordan's serve a lot in practice,” said Rumbaugh.  “I think as the season goes on, our ability to get him to the line will mean points.”