Flash Points:
- Michael Fisher (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley (Pepperdine)) posted a match-high 19 kills.
- Jeff Hogan (Northern Cambria, Pa./Northern Cambria) added 15 kills while Steve Braswell record 12.
- Daniel Ford (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) contributed with 52 assists.
FORT WAYNE, Ind. –
Michael Fisher (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley (Pepperdine)) and
Jeff Hogan (Northern Cambria, Pa./Northern Cambria) led the Saint Francis men's volleyball past Fort Wayne in five set on Friday night at Gates Sports Center. The Red Flash won, 25-21, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25 and 15-12.
Fisher led the Red Flash offense with a match-high 19 kills, while
Jeff Hogan (Northern Cambria, Pa./Northern Cambria) added 15.
Daniel Ford (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) dished out 52 assists, while
Gabe Woffindin (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) posted 12 digs.
The theme was consistent in the fifth set as both teams scored points until two kills from Fisher highlighted a 3-0 run to give the Flash a 12-9 lead. The Mastodons would pull within two at 14-12, but a
Keith Kegerreis (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) kill gave SFU the set and the match, 15-12.
Saint Francis overcame two service errors early in the first set to take a commanding 7-2 lead, forcing the Mastodons to burn a timeout. Two Fort Wayne service errors would give SFU a 12-4 lead. The Mastodons put together a 5-1 run to cut the Red Flash lead to four at 17-13. A Fisher kill and an FW attack error pulled SFU ahead, 19-14. SFU saw its lead dwindle to three at 21-18, as FW rattled off three straight points. Saint Francis had match points four different times before a Hogan kill gave SFU the win, 25-21. Saint Francis held Fort Wayne to a -120 clip.
After falling behind early in the second set, SFU battled back to tie the set six different time, but the Mastodons would outlast the Flash, 25-22.
After both teams traded points in the third set, SFU would eventually take a 12-10 lead. The Mastodons would go on to score four of the next five points to take a 14-13 lead. Saint Francis and Fort Wayne would continue to trade points throughout the set, with neither team creating much separation. A 3-0 run led by kills from Fisher and Hogan would close the set, 25-22.
Much like the third set, the fourth frame started off with both Saint Francis and Fort Wayne exchanging points. The Mastodons would outscore the Flash, 4-1 to take a 14-10 lead. SFU clawed back to tie the set at 17-17. Out of a Fort Wayne timeout, the Mastodons scored four of the next five points to take a 21-18 lead. FW would cruise to a 25-21 victory to force a fifth set.
Saint Francis will look to knock off defending national champs Ohio State next Friday in Loretto. The match is slated to begin at 7 p.m.
