Fairfield, Conn. - The Saint Francis women's volleyball team (1-13, 1-1 NEC) couldn't shake off a heartbreaking first set loss in a 3-0 defeat at Sacred Heart (6-10, 2-1 NEC) (27-29, 15-25, 13-25) on Friday to drop to 1-1 in NEC play.

Saint Francis had the Pioneers on the ropes in the first set, taking a 24-23 lead on a combined block from senior Cecilia Esposito (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour) and sophomore Nicole Adams (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa East). It would mark the first of four set points for SFU before the Pioneers rattled off three consecutive points to turn a 27-26 deficit into a 29-27 win.

The Red Flash never fully recovered in lopsided second and third set defeats.

Saint Francis was led by Adams who posted nine kills and three blocks. Redshirt freshman Alexa Mamone (Beaver, PA/Beaver Area) also had a strong game with five kills, 6 digs and two aces.

The Red Flash are back in action tomorrow at the defending-champion Bryant Bulldogs at 5 p.m.