Men’s Volleyball set to host Red Flash Invitational
Bobby Dragon
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Loretto, Pa.- Saint Francis men's volleyball team is set to begin its 2019 season by hosting a four-team, six match invitational for the first time since 2002 on Friday and Saturday. The Red Flash welcome in Daemen College, Alderson Broaddus, and Emmanuel College.
Tournament Schedule
Friday, January 11th
4:30 p.m.- Daemen College (Away) vs Alderson Broaddus (Home)
7:00 p.m.- Emmanuel College (Away) vs Saint Francis (Home)
Saturday, January 12th
12:00 p.m.- Emmanuel College (Away) vs Alderson Broaddus (Home)
2:30 p.m.- Daemen College (Away) vs Saint Francis (Home)
5:00 p.m.- Emmanuel College (Away) vs Daemen College (Home)
7:30 p.m.- Alderson Broaddus (Away) vs Saint Francis (Home)
About the Red Flash
Saint Francis enter the weekend looking to rebound from a 9-20 overall record and 4-10 EIVA record a season ago. Despite losing its top offensive player, seniors
Cole Thompson (Los Alamitos, Calif./Los Alamitos) and
Evan Feltz (Westerville, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) are among the five returners from last season who played significant minutes while finishing top-five on the team in points and kills. Redshirt Junior
Michael Fisher (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley (Pepperdine)) is back on the roster despite sitting out last season. Fisher, All-EIVA Second team honoree and Off The Block Freshman All-American in 2017, will look to be a prominent force on the offensive end while also providing help on the defensive side. Redshirt Junior
Gabe Woffindin (Allentown, Pa./William Allen) is another big name on the roster who has big expectations for this upcoming season.
About the Battlers
Alderson Broaddus is another team looking to bounce back after a 4-20 record a season ago. The Battlers return most of its roster from last season but lose two top offensives players especially kills leader Francisco Cabrera. Sophomore Alex Sand and Junior Jose Ramirez are the two players to watch this season for the Battlers. Sand finished last season second on the team in kills (131) and points (154) while Ramirez finished third in kills (120) and fifth in points (135). Sophomore Chase Christiansen is back in the middle and will look to lead his team in blocks after contributing with 62 a season ago.
About the Wildcats
When the Wildcats enter Degol Arena Friday night, it will not only be their first game as a program but the first game for a freshman heavy roster. Daemen College becomes the 27th NCAA Division II men's volleyball program in the country and the only present team North of the Mason-Dixon Line. The Wildcats will start as an independent but they are actively seeking EIVA membership in the near future.
About the Lions
The Lions will be tested in their first game of the Red Flash Invitational as it opens up against the Red Flash. Emmanuel finished the 2018 season 9-16 overall with a 5-11 record in the Conference Carolinas. From the young roster a season ago, the lions lost one senior and return everyone from last year and have its sights set on a conference champion this season. Sophomore Don Thompson returns as the leader of the offense leading the team in kills (193) and hitting percentage (.397). Thompson also played a vital role on defensive side placing second on the team in blocks (45) behind former senior Ackeem West.
Follow Along
All matches will have lives states made available throughout the weekend. Friday's Emmanuel and Saturday's Daemen (2:30) and Alderson Broaddus (7:30) match will be streamed on NEC Front Row with
Matt Popelka on the call. All links can be found on the men's volleyball schedule page.
Looking Ahead
The Red Flash will stay in Loretto next weekend for a non-conference match against BYU on Saturday and its first conference match against EIVA rival Penn State on Sunday. Saturday's match will kick off at 7 p.m. while Sunday's match is slated to start at 4 p.m.
