WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Saint Francis University men's volleyball defeated the Sharks of Long Island University, 3-0 in a non-conference matchup on Sunday to go 2-1 on the weekend.
 
Ryan Parker (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) matched his single game career high of four blocks in a single game, which he first recorded earlier this season against Lewis University.
 
Additionally, Parker was the leader for both teams in aces and assists with two serving aces and 32 assists on the day.
 
Blake Liprando (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led both teams in kills and digs with 12 and seven, respectively.
 
AJ Schmidt (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) followed closely in behind Liprando to have seven kills in Sunday's match. While also posting a service ace and two assists.
 
Thomas Leahey (State College, Pa./State College Area) also led both teams overall in blocks for five solo blocks on the day.
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
The third set was the biggest turning point in the game as the Red Flash were up 2-0 and only needed one more set for victory. The Sharks maintained the lead early on in the third set. Saint Francis men's volleyball did not gain the lead until almost mid-set to make the score 11-10. However, the Sharks were able to bounce back to take the lead again for both teams to battle it out for the third set. However, once Schmidt sent over a kill that gave Saint Francis the 20-19 lead, the Red Flash squad controlled that lead for the remainder of the third set. A kill from Liprando sealed the deal for the Red Flash to allow the squad to win the third and final set, 25-23 for the 3-0 victory.
 
FLASH MOMENTS 

The first set started off going back-and-forth between both teams. However, with the score 5-6 in favor of the Sharks, the Red Flash went on a 3-0 run with kills from Schmidt and Liprando and a block from Joshua Blair (Matterson, Ill./ Marian Catholic) and Liprando to take the lead and make the score 8-6. Saint Francis never allowed Long Island to take the lead again in this set. The biggest lead for the Red Flash came in set one with a nine-point advantage over the Sharks. A service error from Long Island men's volleyball secured the first set for the Red Flash, 25-16.
 
When Long Island University took the lead in the second set to make the score 6-5, the Sharks did not allow the Red Flash to take the lead again in the second set until Saint Francis went on a 6-0 run to end the second set. This 6-0 run featured two serving aces from Parker, and kills from Liprando and Andrew Deardorff (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park) which allowed the Red Flash to clinch the second set, 25-21.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
Michael Mosbacher (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) made his first collegiate career debut in Sunday's match. Mosbacher recorded a single dig and kill in the game.
 
The Red Flash are undefeated against the Sharks with both victories being this season and both coming in straight sets for the Red Flash.
 
Sunday's match marks the fifth straight set victory for the Red Flash this season.
 
UP NEXT           
The Red Flash will now turn its attention to a home match against The University of Charleston on Saturday, March 5 at 4:00 p.m.