» Saint Francis University women's volleyball claimed the victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University, 3-1 to go 6-2 in Northeast Conference play on Saturday.
» Madi Tyus (Plano, Texas/Bishop Lynch) secured her 1,000th kill of her collegiate career in the match to give the Red Flash the 9-8 lead over FDU in the fourth and final set. Tyus is the ninth player in SFU women's volleyball history to earn 1,000 kills, accomplishing the feat in 2.5 seasons.
» Tyus, Nicole Adams (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa East) and Maggie Hogan (Northern Cambria, Pa./Northern Cambria) each recorded double-digit kills on the day. Tyus with 19, Adams with 16 and Hogan with 14 kills in the match.
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
The Knights got on the board first in the third set. However, the Red Flash went on a 3-0 run to claim a 4-1 lead over Fairleigh Dickinson. Even though Fairleigh Dickinson came back to take the lead in the second set, the Red Flash could not be stopped. After a 3-0 run from the Red Flash to make the score, 12-9 the Knights never took the lead again in the third set. The biggest lead for the Red Flash in the third set was a six-point deficit over FDU to make the score 23-17. A kill from Adams secured the third set for the Red Flash, 25-19. This was the spark that SFU needed to go on and claim the fourth and final set and overall claim the 3-1 victory over the Knights.
FLASH QUOTES
"I had no clue I was this close, I was not focused on this milestone" said Tyus. "I was focusing on the goal of our team getting stronger and faster every game!"
"I'm very proud of Madi!" said head coach
Sara McMullen. "She has been a show stopper for us since her freshmen year and her hard work and dedication to this program has allowed her to reach this amazing accomplishment!!"
FLASH MOMENTS
The first set was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. The set tied on several occasions, but the Red Flash held the Knights from taking the first and only lead of the first set until the 21st point. However, the Red Flash bounced back to tie the set, 21-21. The two teams continued to tie on several occasions until a 2-0 run with a kill from
Kimmy Sweeney (Broadview Heights, Ohio/Beaumont School) followed by a serving ace from Hogan secured the extended first set for the Red Flash, 26-24.
The second set was another back-and-forth battle. The Knights took its biggest lead of the game, 15-12 over the Red Flash. Followed by a four-point lead, 17-13. A kill from Hogan brought it back within two, 18-16. However, the Knights were able to claim the second set, 25-20
The fourth and final set turned into an all-Red Flash affair to go on a 6-0 run, which was the largest lead of the game for the Red Flash. Tyus secured her 1,000
th kill of her career in this set to give the Red Flash the 9-8 lead over the Knights. The Red Flash claimed the fourth set, 25-18.
FLASH NUGGETS
Hogan and Tyus each collected a double-double after Hogan led the Red Flash with 19 digs and Tyus gained 16 digs. Also,
Maggie Means (Connellsville, Pa./ Connellsville Area) matched Tyus to put up 16 digs in the match.
Sweeney led the Red Flash in assists with 54 on the day. This puts Sweeney at 722 assists in the season and 1,278 assists in her career.
Sophie Rice (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led her squad with five blocks and added eight kills in the match. Rice continues to lead her squad this season in blocks with 65.0
UP NEXT
Saint Francis will be back in Loretto on Friday, October 29 to start a four-match homestand and take on Merrimack College. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.
