Flash Points
- Stephen Braswell (Manchester, Pa./Northeastern) recorded 11 kills to lead the team.
- Brandon Buck (Baden, Pa./Ambridge) added 10 kills.
- Joseph Koszelak (North Tonawanda, N.Y./St. Joseph's Collegiate Institute) dished out 34 out of the team's 37 assists.
Loretto, Pa- Your Saint Francis Red Flash men's volleyball team fell in straight sets to the NJIT Highlanders. NJIT earned the sweep by going 25-21, 28-26 and 26-24.
Saint Francis falls to 8-20 overall and 3-10 in conference play. NJIT improves to 8-16 and 5-8 in EIVA competition.
Rumbaugh's Rumination
Head coach
Mike Rumbaugh praised NJIT and found several silver linings in the defeat. He stated, "Congratulations to NJIT on their victory. We fell behind in the first set but we battled back and made it a tough fought game. We displayed a great deal of resilience."
Set One
- NJIT jumped out quickly, as if in a Highland Charge, to take a 15-7 lead.
- Two Saint Francis timeouts did little to stem the charge as the lead extended to 20-12.
- The Red Flash battled back to within three points but NJIT finished out the set winning 25-21.
Set Two
- In drastic contrast to the first period, the Red Flash, like lightning, took a 9-7 lead.
- The Highlanders fought back to make it an even proportion as the match progressed.
- The fans received extra volleyball as neither team could earn the match point in the standard 25.
- NJIT, off an attack error by Stephen Braswell (Manchester, Pa./Northeastern), eked out the 28-26 victory.
Set Three
- Desperate to stay alive, the Red Flash roared into the third period striving for every point. Their hustle built them an 11-9 advantage.
- The Highlanders weathered the assault to even the score at 13-13 on Friday the 13th.
- The two squads then traded points until NJIT had a set and match point opportunity at 24-22. Stephen Braswell (Manchester, Pa./Northeastern) prevented defeat with a timely kill.
- However, his valiant effort was for naught as NJIT won when Brandon Buck (Baden, Pa./Ambridge)'s return fire just missed giving NJIT a 26-24 win in set three and the match.
Up Next
Your Red Flash conclude the 2018 campaign with a home game against Princeton. Additionally, it is Senior Day so pack Stokes to pay tribute to the excellent senior class.
