Flash Points:
- Saint Francis hosts No. 6 UC Irvine on Wednesday.
- Match time is set for 7 p.m.
- Saint Francis faces UC Irvine for the first time in program history.
LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis men's volleyball team hosts No.6 UC Irvine on Wednesday night for a non-conference matchup at 7 p.m.
Saint Francis, lead by head coach
Mike Rumbaugh, enters Wednesday's match with a 8-11 overall record and is 4-4 in conference play. Saint Francis dropped a pair of matches last weekend to No. 1 Ohio State and McKendree both in four sets.
Jeff Hogan (Northern Cambria, Pa./Northern Cambria) led the Flash with 30 kills and eight kills, including a 22-kill performance against McKendree.
FRESHMAN IMPACT
Michael Fisher (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley (Pepperdine)) ranks third in the conference in kills per set (3.56) and second in kills (222). For his efforts against Long Beach State and Barton during the weekend of Jan. 27-28, Fisher was named Off the Block Freshman of the Week. The Mechanicsburg Pa., native ranks 19th in the NCAA in attacks per set (7.57).
DIGGING HIS WAY TO THE TOP
Gabe Woffindin (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) ranks third in the EIVA in digs per set (2.35) and second in digs (167). The Allentown Pa., native has recorded double-digit digs in 12 matches this season.
BIG THREE
Hogan, Fisher and
Stephen Braswell (Manchester, Pa./Northeastern) all rank in the top-four in kills in the EIVA. Hogan is currently first in the EIVA with 252, Fisher ranks third with 224 while Braswell has amassed 199 and ranks fourth. The trio has accounted for 675 kills or 72 percent of the team's kills.
ABOUT THE ANTEATERS
UC Irvine is ranked No. 6 in the latest AVCA Polls and holds a 12-6 record. The Anteaters defeated CSUN in five sets and dropped a 3-1 decision to No.2 Long Beach last weekend. Aaron Kobubi led UC Irvine with 26 kills during the 1-1 weekend.
The Anteaters have a well-balanced offensive attack, with four players passing the century mark in kills. Tamir Hershko leads the pack with 200 kills and averages 3.03 kills per set, and has recorded double-figures nine times this season. Thomas Hodges is second on the squad with 196 kills, while Scott Stadick ranks third with 124.
Stadick's .420 hitting percentage is eighth nationally and is 10th in the NCAA in blocks per set, averaging 1.08. The middle blocker has accumulated 71 blocks on the season. Dillon Hoffman leads the UCI defensive, ranking up 168 digs on the season. Michael Saeta has dished out a team-high 619 assists.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the first meeting between UC Irvine and Saint Francis.
FOLLOW ALONG
Live stats and will be provided for Wednesday's match. Information can be found in the men's volleyball schedule page.
NEXT TIME OUT…
Saint Francis takes a 10-day hiatus before hosting Cal Baptist on March 18 at 4 p.m.
