LORETTO, PA- Saint Francis and Robert Morris will renew their rivalry on Friday night as the Red Flash travel to Moon Township to face the Colonials in Robert Morris' Dig Pink Match.
 
Both teams come into the match at 3-8 in Northeast Conference play, meaning both teams need to win out to have a shot at the postseason, making the match all the more critical.
 
The Red Flash knocked off Robert Morris in four sets earlier in the year but RMU is coming off an upset of NEC-leading LIU Brooklyn, handing the Blackbirds their first conference loss.
 
These two teams are neck-and-neck in nearly every statistical team category through 11 conference matches. The only true difference between the two teams can be found on the defensive end where Robert Morris ranks third in team blocks (compared to SFU ranking 7^th) and the Red Flash rank second in digs (compared to RMU ranking 5^th).
 
 
THREE-HEADED ATTACK
Saint Francis has arguably the most balanced attack in the NEC, placing three players in the top-10 in kills and kills per set. Alexis Lambert (McKinney, Tx./McKinney-Boyd), Madi Tyus (Plano, TX/Bishop Lynch) and Nicole Adams (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa East) rank 5^th, 6^th, and 7^th in the NEC, respectfully.
 
SPREADING THE WEALTH
The balanced offense is a testament to the setting of senior Amelia Metzler (Littleton, Colo./Chatfield), who continues to lead the NEC in assists. The senior is averaging an even 10 assists per game and her 380 assists also lead the league, despite not starting the first two conference matches.
 
THOU SHALL NOT (GET A) KILL
The Saint Francis block is led by Daysha Shamlin (Bear, Del./Tower Hill) and Sophia Esposito (Coraopolis, PA/Montour (Gardner-Webb)). The two Red Flash middle blockers are ninth and tenth in the conference in blocks, respectfully. The two had six, and seven blocks, respectfully at St. Francis Brooklyn last Saturday.
 
ABOUT THE COLONIALS
While the Red Flash are led by their outside attack, the Colonials have done their damage up the middle. Maria Alfano and Emma Granger have paced the offense, ranking among the top attackers in the NEC, ranking fourth and seventh in hitting percentage. Taylor Lord leads the outside attack and leads the team in kills at just over three per set.
 
The Red Flash will have to be on alert for a strong RMU service game. Emma Granger leads the NEC in aces while Erika Wilt is 10^th in the conference. Granger also leads the RMU block, leading the Colonials with just under a block per set, good for seventh in the NEC.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Friday's match will stream on NEC Front Row and Robert Morris will provide live stats, you can also follow @RedFlashVB to get updates and highlights. Please see the volleyball schedule page for links.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Red Flash head home for senior weekend to face Sacred Heart and Fairleigh Dickinson. Friday's match against the Pioneers starts the Saint Francis "Salute to Service" weekend with a 4:30 first serve scheduled.