BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa. (Nov. 3, 2012) – After a convincing win over Sacred Heart, the Saint Francis U women's volleyball team clinched an NEC postseason berth, the first for SFU since the 2008 season.
 
The Red Flash (13-14, 9-5) routed the Pioneers (9-20, 7-8) in three sets, 25-17, 25-20, 25-23.
 
SFU took control early in the first set with a 9-4 lead after a kill by Amanda Zahumensky (Sarver, Pa./Freeport Area). SHU narrowed the margin to three at 18-15, and then SFU went on a 5-0 run capped off by a service ace from Lauren Wingard (York, Pa./Dallastown Area). That was enough to spring the Red Flash to a first set victory.
 
The second set was much of the same as Saint Francis jumped out to an early 8-4 lead. SFU went on another four point run late and SHU could not come back.
 
Saint Francis had momentum in the third set and eventually held a 21-15 lead. Sacred Heart went on two separate 3-0 runs late to challenge the Red Flash. A kill by Zahumensky gave SFU the 24-23 and forced a Pioneers timeout. A final block from Elizabeth Williams (North Bend, Ohio/Saint Ursula) and Zahumensky put the match in the books for SFU.
 
“This was the best we have played this year as a group,” head coach Chuck Mullen said. “It was everything you would expect from a well-disciplined, experienced team.”
 
Amanda Zahumensky (Sarver, Pa./Freeport Area) led SFU with 10 kills and eight digs. Elizabeth Williams (North Bend, Ohio/Saint Ursula) finished with eight kills and a match-high three service aces.
 
Lauren Wingard (York, Pa./Dallastown Area) registered nine kills and had a .692 hitting percentage. Kayla Jeckell (Mountaintop, Pa./Crestwood) contributed with eight kills to go along with four digs. Kierstin Kiser (Clarion, Pa./Clarion) tallied 31 assists and eight digs.
 
Saint Francis will travel to LIU Brooklyn and St. Francis (NY) for the final weekend of regular season play.
 
FLASH FACTS –
 
-With the victory today, SFU clinches its first NEC postseason berth since the 2008 season.
 
-With SFU the current No. 4 seed and LIU Brooklyn the likely No. 1 seed, this weekend's matchup could be a preview of the NEC Semifinals match.
 
-Saint Francis has beaten Sacred Heart, the 2011 NEC Champion, both times in 2012.

-SFU, the nation's fourth ranked team, in service aces per set notched seven aces in today's short three-set match.