Akron, Ohio - Head women's volleyball coach Sara McMullen was forced to dive deep into her bench on Friday, starting three true freshmen and one redshirt freshman in a three-set loss at Akron (13-25, 11-25, 15-25).

Down three key starters and its top two leaders in kills in sophomores Madi Tyus (Plano, TX/Bishop Lynch) and Nicole Adams (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa East), the Red Flash turned to its youth. Freshmen Sydney Scott (Smithburg, MD/Smithburg) and Gabby Krug (Altoona, PA/Bishop Guilfoyle) answered the call as Scott led SFU in kills with eight, the first eight of her career, and Krug tallied seven digs.

Saint Francis got off to a quick start behind three early kills from Scott. With the first set knotted at 10-10, Akron reeled off 15 of the next 18 points for a 25-13 win and then kept the momentum going with two lopsided wins in sets two and three.

Redshirt freshman Alexa Mamone (Beaver, PA/Beaver Area) followed Scott's lead with five kills while junior setter Shannon Thomas (West Chester, Pa./Villa Maria) led the Red Flash with a season-high nine assists. Freshman Rachel Langsdorf (Norwin, Pa./Norwin) made her collegiate debut and finished with two kills and four digs.

Saint Francis is back in action tomorrow vs. Seton Hall at 10 a.m. and Eastern Kentucky at 4:30 p.m.