Towson, Md.- Saint Francis had a balanced offense against the host Tigers but it was not enough, falling in three sets in the finale of the Towson Invitational.
Breanna Opera (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster ) and
Hannah Kutny (Clifton Park, N.Y./Catholic Central) each had six kills to lead the Flash while
Chelsea Easter (Burlington, Ontario, Canada/Notre Dame Roman Catholic) and
Kelsey Roush (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) added five each, respectfully.
Jenna Veres (Independence, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) added 13 digs, but the Towson offense was firing of all cylinders, hitting a .411 percentage on the night.
The Flash and Tigers were even in the early goings of the match, splitting the first 16 points. Saint Francis took advantage of a shaky Towson service game, making four errors in the set. However, a 10-2 Towson run midway through the set proved to be the difference. Roush and Easter had back-to-back kills to end the run, but the Tigers closed out the set at 25-15.
Defense set the tone early in the second set for Saint Francis, who forced errors out of the Tigers to gain an early lead. After a Towson rally, Opera and Roush each made kills to get Saint Francis within one at 13-12. The Tigers put the set out of reach after answering with six straight points and winning eight of the next nine. A Kutny kill stopped the run, but the second set ended the same as the first at 25-15.
Saint Francis got out of the gate quick in the third, winning six of the first eight points. The Red Flash continued to hold the Tigers at bay, trading points with the host school and led 9-5 midway through the set. Once again, Towson had a run in them, winning four straight points and six of seven to take a 14-11 advantage. A kill from
Christa White (Rochester, N.Y./Spencerport) and an Opera block stopped the run and got the Flash within one at 19-18. The Tigers responded by winning the set's final six points to close out the match 25-18.
The Red Flash exit the Towson invitational at 1-3 on the season. They are next in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Youngstown, Ohio to take on the Youngstown State Penguins. First serve is set for 7 p.m.
