Youngstown, Ohio - Sophomore Nicole Adams (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa East) led Saint Francis with nine kills and sophomore Keara McGraw (Austin, TX/James Bowie) chipped in with a career-high eight kills but it wasn't enough as the Saint Francis women's volleyball team dropped its season opener in three sets to Youngstown State (25-17, 25-17, 25-16).

McMullen's Reaction

"There were moments when we played fast and aggressive but we weren't able to sustain it for consistent stretches," said head coach Sara McMullen. "It is a good lesson early in the season for our team and we are looking forward to regrouping and putting forth a more consistent effort tomorrow."

1st Set Recap

• Saint Francis opened up a 3-1 lead after a kill by Madi Tyus (Plano, TX/Bishop Lynch) and led 5-3 before the Penguins rallied with a pivotal 7-0 run.
• A kill from senior Cecilia Esposito (Coraopolis, Pa./Montour) capped a 3-0 Saint Francis run to pull with Red Flash within two, but YSU answered with seven of the next eight points.
• Saint Francis fought back to 21-16 but that was as close as it would get.

2nd Set Recap

• Unlike the first set, Youngstown State stormed out of the gates with seven of the first 10 points in set two.
• Trailing 17-8, Saint Francis fought back behind two kills from Adams, one from McGraw and one from sophomore Sophie Rice (Mechanicsburg, PA/Cumberland Valley) to clip the Penguin advantage to 17-14.
• A 4-0 YSU response padded the lead to seven as Youngstown State closed out its second 25-17 win in as many sets.

3rd Set Recap

• Saint Francis scored three of the first four points in the set and was knotted at 6-6 before another backbreaking 7-0 Penguin run.
• The Penguins would double on Red Flash to build a 20-10 lead and put the set and match out of reach.

Inside the Box Score

• Saint Francis tallied 28 kills to 19 attack errors and finished with a .088 hitting pct.
• The Penguins recorded 40 kills with 13 errors for a .255 hitting pct.
• Saint Francis struggled to receive serves as the Penguins finished with a 6-1 edge in service aces.
• Blocks went 8-1 in YSU's favor.

Notes

• Adams nine kills is a continuation of her strong freshman season where she recorded 17 games with double digit kills.
• McGraw's eight kills bested her season total of seven from last season, which took her 13 sets to reach.
• Tyus added seven kills.
• Junior Logan Belford (Loveland, Colo./Loveland) had a strong debut with the Red Flash with nine digs, an assist and the team's lone ace.
• Sophomore setter Kimmy Sweeney (Broadview Heights, OH/Beaumont School) recorded 26 of SFU's 27 assists.

Up Next

Saint Francis wraps up play at the Youngstown Invitational with a doubleheader. The Red Flash play The Citadel at 10 a.m. and Bucknell at 12:30 p.m.