BOX SCORE WILSON, N.C. – After leading one game to none, the Saint Francis men's volleyball team dropped a 3-2 decision at the Barton College Bulldogs on Saturday evening. In the fifth and final set, Barton prevailed, 15-12. The Bulldogs won the match 16-25, 27-25, 23-25, 25-21, 15-12.

Stephen Braswell (Manchester, Pa./Northeastern) led the Red Flash with 19 kills, 11 digs and posted a .405 hitting percentage. Jeff Hogan (Northern Cambria, Pa./Northern Cambria) was second on the squad with 17 kills and nine digs while Mike Marshman (Glenmont, N.Y./Bethlehem Central) finished with 13 kills. Daniel Ford (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) added 50 assists.

Early in the first set, Saint Francis (0-2) used a 4-0 run to take a 9-3 lead over Barton (1-0). The Bulldogs went on a small run of their own, cutting into the Flash lead at 17-13. SFU scored seven of the last nine points to win the opening set, 25-16. SFU finished with a .450 hitting percentage, and held BC to a .057 hitting percentage. Braswell and Hogan each led the Flash with three kills.

The thrilling second set featured numerous ties and lead changes. A service ace by Braswell broke the 8-8 stalemate, but neither team could not gain more than a two-point advantage. The Bulldogs were seeking to build on their lead at 18-15, but the Flash rallied to make it 18-17. The home team regained momentum and gave Barton a four-point lead at 21-17. The Flash trimmed the Bulldogs' lead to two at 22-20, forcing a BC timeout. An attack error by Saint Francis gave Barton the 27-25 win.

Barton opened the third set with a 3-0 advantage. A kill by Keith Kegerreis (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) notched the score at 13-12, in favor of the Flash. SFU scored seven of the next 10 points to rumble ahead, 20-15. The Red Flash held of the Bulldogs' attempt at a comeback and sealed off the game on a Barton services error. Braswell added five kills in the set.

Once again Barton jumped out to an early lead in the fourth set, and would go up 14-10 in the middle of the set. The Flash could not recover and dropped the set, 25-21.

Brandon Buck (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) registered a kill to make it 7-6 SFU in the fifth set. BC came back to tie the score at 9-9, but a ball handling error by Saint Francis gave Barton a 10-9 edge. SFU committed another ball handling error and gave the Bulldogs the match.  

"Much improved from yesterday, but we still have work to do. Congratulations to Barton. Nice job", said head coach Mike Rumbaugh.

The Red Flash travel to the Wind City as they face No. 8 Lewis University on Friday and No. 3 Loyal Chicago University on Saturday. Both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m.