BOX SCORE FORT WAYNE, IND. (Jan. 11, 2013) - The Saint Francis U men's volleyball team won a tightly contested battle at IPFW on Friday evening, 23-25, 25-22, 33-31, 25-23.
 
The Red Flash (1-1) dropped the first set to the Mastodons (0-1) and then responded with three straight set wins.
 
“It was a great battle tonight, and I thought our guys really fought hard,” SFU head coach Mike Rumbaugh said. “It wasn't a great start, but the team kept with it. We blocked really well tonight and that helped us significantly. I thought our serving could have been better, but we stayed aggressive.”
 
“IPFW is a tough atmosphere to play in, and I am proud of the guys for keeping their composure,” Rumbaugh continued. “Our bench players also did a great job of keeping up the energy when called upon.”
 
IPFW led early in the first set, SFU's first lead came at 9-8 after a combined block from Mark Kochan (Towaco, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) and Colin Sherwin (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe). The Mastodons regained the lead for good at 13-12 and took the set.
 
Saint Francis held an early lead in the second set after a block made it 4-2. Both teams exchanged leads throughout the set. SFU took the lead for good after an IPFW attack error to break a tie at 17-16.
 
The third set was a marathon frame as SFU would need eight points in overtime to claim it. SFU led the majority of the set, but could not put the Mastodons away. The Flash forced three IPFW service errors in extra time and eventually won 33-31 after another clutch block from Kochan and Sherwin.    
 
The fourth and final set was another tight frame, SFU led 7-5 after a Logan Patterson (Derry, Pa./Derry Area) kill. Again, IPFW kept pace with the Flash and held a lead of their own at 21-20. SFU went on a late 3-0 run highlighted by a service ace from Adam Roche (Cochranton, Pa./Cochranton) and took the set.
 
Logan Patterson (Derry, Pa./Derry Area) was the kills leader for SFU for the second consecutive match, he finished with 13 on the night. Mark Kochan (Towaco, N.J./Seton Hall Prep) and Colin Sherwin (Greensburg, Pa./Greater Latrobe) added 10 kills apiece. Kochan had an impressive 1.000 hitting percentage.
 
Adam Roche (Cochranton, Pa./Cochranton) finished the night with eight kills and eight blocks. Michael Krepp (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) registered 42 assists and a career-high seven blocks in the match.
 
Saint Francis returns to action tomorrow night as they travel to Ball State for a 7 p.m. match-up.