Towson, Md.- The Saint Francis volleyball team defeated the Delaware State Hornets in four sets to even up their record on the season at the season-opening Towson Invitational.
Kelsey Roush (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) had a tremendous game to lead the Flash attack. Roush led all players with 16 kills and hit an impressive .516 on 31 attacks without an error. Roush also had 16 digs to lead the Flash defensively as well, earning a double-double in the process.  Breanna Opera (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster ) had 11 kills, putting two Flashes in double figures. Amelia Metzler (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield) had 23 assists to lead Saint Francis, while Jenna Veres (Independence, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) added six aces in a strong service game.

Saint Francis scored the first four points of the first set to set the tone early. After a brief Hornet rally got it to 4-3, the Flashes won 13 of the next 14 points to put the set out of reach, cruising to a 25-13 win. In set two, the Hornets got up early and prevented a run from the Flash. Delaware State led throughout the set, pulling away to clinch the second at 25-17.

The third set proved to be the turning point, once again the Hornets grabbed the early lead and looked to prevent Saint Francis from a closing rally. The Flash were down 19-17 before rallying to win eight of the next 10 points to close the set 25-21. It was the defense that fueled the rally, forcing five attack errors out of the Hornets. The fourth set was back-and-forth. The teams traded early runs and then traded points through the middle of the set, there were eight ties from 10-10 on. Two of Veres' six aces turned the set towards the Flashes, breaking a 19-19 tie and giving Saint Francis a key two-point lead before hanging on to a 25-23 set win, and the match.
At 1-1, the Flashes will head to Saturday's matches with a bit of momentum. They will face the Tennessee Volunteers out of the SEC at 2:30 before facing the host Towson Tigers at 7 p.m.