BOX SCORE Flash Points

• Emily Marcinowski (Strongsville, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) led SFU with 11 kills and 11 digs
• Kelsey Roush (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) chipped in 10 kills
• SFU had comebacks fall just short in each of the first two sets

 
 
ANNAPOLIS, MD- An Emily Marcinowski (Strongsville, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) double-double of 11 kills and 11 digs were not enough as Maryland-Eastern Shore defeated Saint Francis in three sets (25-22, 25-22, 25-19) in the opening match of the Kristen Dickmann Invitational hosted by the Naval Academy.
 
McMullen's Reaction
"Given how well our preseason went, this is certainly a disappointing outcome today," head coach Sara McMullen said. "But I like the way our team battled back and how we played offensively in the third set. Certainly there are things to work on but a lot to build off of as well heading into tomorrow."
 
 
TURNING POINT

• Saint Francis nearly erased a big first set lead as a Jenna Veres (Independence, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) ace pulled SFU with in two at 19-17 after trailing 18-9 earlier in the set. Another late first half rally saw the Red Flash pull within two again at 24-22 before the Hawks took the first set.
•  History repeated itself in the second set as SFU whittled a lead down to three late but could get no closer.

 
HIGHLIGHTS

• Emily Marcinowski (Strongsville, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) and Kelsey Roush (Johnstown, Pa./Richland) paced SFU with 11 and 10 kills, respectfully
• Alexis Lambert (McKinney, Tx./McKinney-Boyd) finished with five kills and three block assists in her collegiate debut
• Emily Pieper (Paonia, Colo./Paonia ) also made her debut with a third set ace and kill on Friday
• The Hawks had a balanced attack with two players with nine kills and a third with eight
• Maryland-Eastern Shore out hit Saint Francis .299 to .148 on Friday
• The Hawks had 10 blocks to Saint Francis' six
• Sophia Esposito (Coraopolis, PA/Montour (Gardner-Webb)) had a solo block and two assists to lead SFU

 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Red Flash are back in action for two matches tomorrow when they take on the host Midshipmen at 11 and the Akron Zips at 4:30 to wrap up the Kristen Dickmann Invite.