FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Saint Francis men's volleyball team down Sacred Heart on Friday, 3-1, in the front end of the weekend series.

Behind a match-high 14 kills from Blake Liprando, the Red Flash barely dropped the second set, then went on to take sets three and four to down the Pioneers.

Saint Francis 3, Sacred Heart 1 (25-18, 24-26, 25-18, 26-24)
Records: Saint Francis (5-18, 4-12), Sacred Heart (1-17, 0-14)
Location: William H. Pitt Center (Fairfield, Conn.)

COACH RUMBAUGH'S COMMENTS
"A win is a win and we really needed that one tonight. Sacred Heart came to play and we had to respond, which we did. I'm proud of how we fought back."

HOW IT HAPPENED

SET ONE

• The Red Flash jumped out to a 6-3 lead, forcing a Sacred Heart timeout.
• Out of the timeout, Sacred Heart cut it to one, but SFU pushed its lead to six, forcing another Pioneers timeout at 15-9.
• SFU continued to pile on, reaching a seven-point lead at 19-12.
• The Pioneers were able cut their deficit to five, but SFU held on for a 25-18 set one win.

SET TWO

• Joshua Blair started the set with a kill, but the Pioneers took an early 5-3 lead.
• Kills from Blake Liprando and Thomas Leahey helped the Red Flash tie it at six, then take the lead right after.
• SFU continued to maintain its 1-2 point lead, eventually stretching it out to four at 15-11.
• The Pioneers cut it to one at 17-16, but kills by Leahey and Daniel Fry helped the Red Flash take a 22-18 lead.
• Sacred Heart stormed back late, scoring eight of the final 10 points to take set two, 26-24.

SET THREE

• The teams started set four back-and-forth, staying tied until the Red Flash took a 7-5 lead.
• SFU continued to hold the lead, using Jason Najm and Leahey kills to reach a 15-10 lead.
• Alex Finch got his fingerprints on the match, picking up kills to push the Red Flash to a 19-12 lead.
• SFU held on this time, taking a 2-1 lead after winning the set, 25-18.

SET FOUR

• SFU took an early 7-4 lead, forcing a Pioneers timeout.
• A quick run by Sacred Heart then gave them a 13-10 lead over the Red Flash.
• Three straight Red Flash points gave SFU a lead at 17-16, and the teams traded points late in the set.
• Sacred Heart took a 21-19 lead, but a Blair kill capped off a 4-0 run to give the Red Flash a 23-21 lead.
• The set stayed close, but Saint Francis prevailed, using a Liprando kill to take the set, 26-24, for a 3-1 win.

STATS

• Saint Francis led the match in kills (50-32), assists (46-29), blocks (14.0-9.0), and digs (55-54).
• The teams tied with six service aces each.
• SFU hit .205 compared to .032 from Sacred Heart.

RED FLASH INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
KILLS – Blake Liprando (14; match-high)
ASST – AJ Schmidt (41; match-high)
DIGS – Matthew Menosky (16; match-high)
BLOCKS – Joshua Blair (1 solo, 5 asst.; match-high)
SERVICE ACES – Joshua Blair, Daniel Fry (2)

UP NEXT
The Red Flash will conclude its season tomorrow in an afternoon matinee against the Pioneers. First serve is set for 2:00 p.m. and will be live on NEC Front Row.

Follow Saint Francis Men's Volleyball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get up-to-date information and a behind-the-scenes look at the Red Flash.

To learn more about Saint Francis University, visit francis.edu.