The Red Flash Look to Invade New Jersey this Weekend
By: Bobby Dragon
P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }
Flash Point:
-
Saint Francis faces Princeton and NJIT this weekend.
-
Both matches are set to begin at 7 p.m.
-
Live stats and video will be provided for both matches.
Loretto, Pa.- The Saint Francis men's volleyball team, like the British in 1776, invades New Jersey to play Princeton and NJIT this weekend for a pair of EVIA matchups. Both matches are slated for 7 p.m.
Saint Francis, led by head coach Mike Rumbaugh, enters the weekend with a 7-10 overall record and 2-3 in conference play after falling to Charleston and George Mason last weekend. The Red Flash dropped a close five set match to Charleston and then dropped a four set match to George Mason the following night.
In the Catbird Seat
Redshirt Senior Stephen Braswell (Manchester, Pa./Northeastern) ranks first in the EIVA in total kills with 172 while also ranking third in total digs (111) and service aces per set (0.48). On the defensive side, freshman Ryan Alu (Pipersville, PA/Central Bucks West HS) leads the conference in total digs with 128 while ranking third in digs per set with 2.56. Last week's Defensive Player of the Week, Hayden Herc (Eden, N.Y./Eden) positions himself fourth in the conference with a 0.98 blocks per set percentage.
About the Tigers
The Princeton Tigers are 2-11 on the season and 1-4 in the EIVA. The Tigers split a pair of conference matches last week as they dropped three sets to Harvard and bounced back to beat Sacred Heart in four sets. Sophomore middle blocker George Huhmann leads the Tigers with 137 kills and averages 3.04 kills per set. He also leads the defense with 39 total blocks and a 0.87 blocks per set. Sophomore outside hitter Parker Dixon leads the team in total digs with 64 while freshman setter Joe Kelly has dished out 398 assists so far on the season.
About the Highlanders
New Jersey Institute of Technology is currently sitting sixth in the EIVA with a 3-9 overall record and 1-2 conference record. NJIT split a pair of matches last weekend as they took down Sacred Heart in four sets and dropped five sets to Harvard the next day. Freshman Gimeno Alvaro leads NJIT in kills with 133 and service aces, 22. He sits fifth in conference in kills while also sitting second in service aces per set. Shannon Heckman currently leads the defense with 81 digs as Luca Berge leads in total blocks with 32.
Series History
Saint Francis trails the all-time series against Princeton, 13-36, but split both matches with the Tigers last season. Â SFU also trails the all-time series against NJIT, 21-26, and split last season's matchups.
Follow Along
Video and live stats will be provided for both matches. Friday's match may involve a fee to watch the game. All information can be found in the men's volleyball schedule page.
Next Time Out….
Saint Francis continues on the road as their first stop will be in St. Charles, Missouri to take on Lindenwood University. They will then head north to Lebanon, Illinois to take on McKendree University. Both matches are slated to start at 7 p.m.
