LORETTO, PA- Saint Francis volleyball finally opens their home schedule with a crucial conference matchup with in-state rival Robert Morris on "Dig Pink!" night at DeGol Arena.
 
DIG PINK! Promotions
 
First serve is set for 7 p.m. in the annual "Dig Pink!" game where all proceeds will go to the American Volleyball Coaches' Association's Dig Pink/Side Out Cancer charities.
 
The Red Flash will have a basket raffle where fans will have the chance to purchase tickets to win gift certificates to area restaurants, crafts and Red Flash gear. There will also be a bake sale and a 50/50 raffle.
 
Additionally, the first 40 students to Friday's match will receive a coupon for a free slice of pizza courtesy of Best Way Pizza.
 
ABOUT THE CONTEST
Getting to the matchup, both teams come into Friday at 0-2 in the Northeast Conference after dropping matches last week at Central Connecticut and Bryant, respectfully.
 
The Red Flash last weekend were led by Alexis Lambert (McKinney, Tx./McKinney-Boyd) who had a 13-kill, zero-error performance against the Bryant Bulldogs on Friday. On Saturday, it was freshman Madi Tyus' (Plano, TX/Bishop Lynch) turn to lead the offense, posting an 18-kill, 12-dig double-double against the CCSU Blue Devils. Tyus has led the team this season with a 3.36 kill per set average, good for second in the NEC. She's been joined by Lambert and Nicole Adams (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa East) as players with over 100 kills on the season. Adams ranks ninth in the NEC at 2.61 kills per set.
 
Defensively, Jess Barrett (Broadview Heights, OH/North Royalton) leads the way at an even four digs per set. Daysha Shamlin (Bear, Del./Tower Hill) has been a force at the net, averaging nearly a block per set. She had four against CCSU last Saturday.
 
SCOUTING THE COLONIALS
 
Like the Red Flash, Robert Morris dropped both road matches last weekend but sit 6-10 overall on the season. RMU has posted eerily similar stats to the Red Flash this season and are also led by a trio of attackers. Emma Granger, Ally Londot and Taylor Lord have all posted over 100 kills so far this year, with Granger posting a team-high 148 kills so far this year.
 
SFU will have to watch out for Emma Granger at the net, as she averages nearly a block per set. Senior libero Allie Yurkovich leads the team with a 3.65 dig per set average.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
Tomorrow's game will be streamed on NEC Front Row with Matt Popelka on the call. There will also be live stats available during the match. Fans can also follow along @RedFlashVB, all links can be found on the volleyball schedule page.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Red Flash stay at home next weekend as the Brooklyn schools come to town.  The LIU Blackbirds are up first with a 7pm first serve scheduled for Friday night.