WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University women's volleyball will begin the 2022 season at home by hosting the Red Flash Classic on Friday, August 26 and Saturday, August 27 in DeGol Arena.
 
>> The squad will welcome Gardner-Webb, Bellarmine and Bucknell for the tournament this weekend, where all teams will face each other once. The Red Flash will first take on Gardner-Webb on Friday, August 26 at 7:00 p.m. and return for a double header on Saturday, August 27 to take on Bellarmine at 11:00 a.m. and Bucknell at 7:00 p.m.
 
>> All games this weekend can be streamed live on NEC Front Row and followed with Live Stats.
 
THE WORD ON GARDNER-WEBB
The Red Flash Classic marks the 2022 season opener for the Bulldogs. Last season, the squad went 7-19 overall and 4-12 in the Big South.
 
Gardner-Webb will see a couple key returners in their fifth year this season in Mikayla Logan and Kylee Garrison as Coach Eric Plunkett begins his second season for the Bulldogs. Garrison led the squad in kills last season with 242 in the 2021 season.
 
THE WORD ON BELLARMINE
The Knights will also be opening up its 2022 season in Loretto, Pa. this weekend by starting the tournament off with a matchup against Bucknell on Friday, August 26 at 4:00 p.m.
 
Bellarmine volleyball concluded the 2021 season 6-22 overall and 2-14 in conference. A couple key returners for the Knights this season are Jayme Scott and Emily Arnold. Scott led the squad with 312 kills and 24 service aces last season, while Arnold led as a setter with 797 assists.
 
In addition, Bellarmine volleyball welcomes a new coaching staff in preparation for the 2022 season in Head Coach Rick Nold and Assistant Coach Jesse Earl.
 
THE WORD ON BUCKNELL
The Red Flash Classic also marks the 2022 season opener for the Bucknell Bison. Last season the squad went 7-18 overall and 3-13 in the Patriot League.
 
A few important returners for the Bison this season are Lisa Zoch, Sarah Ramirez, Allie Lopez and Jordan Hardy. Zoch led the squad with 205 kills last season, while Ramirez led the Bison with 750 assists and 20 service aces. Lopez and Hardy stood out on the defensive side last season with 48.0 blocks and 383 digs, respectively.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Red Flash concluded the 2021 season by making its first appearance in the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament since 2014 and going 13-14 overall and 9-5 in conference. An important returner for the Red Flash this season is Madi Tyus who achieved NEC Player of the year and led the team with 440 kills last season. Additionally, the return of NEC Rookie of the Year, Maggie Hogan will be a key component for the Red Flash this season
 
In addition, the team welcomes the addition of Assistant Coach Ben Kasun in preparation for the 2022 season.
 
LAST TIME WE MET GARDNER-WEBB
This Friday marks the first meeting between the Bulldogs and the Red Flash.
 
LAST TIME WE MET BELLARMINE
The Red Flash Classic also marks the first meeting between the Knights and the Red Flash.
 
LAST TIME WE MET BUCKNELL
The Bison and the Red Flash last met in 2019 at the Youngstown State Invitational, when Saint Francis lost in straight sets. Prior to the loss in 2019, the Red Flash were on a 3-0 run over Bucknell. However, the Bison hold the overall series record over the Red Flash at 8-29.
 
UP NEXT
Following the Red Flash Classic, the squad will hit the road to Indianapolis, Ind. for the Hampton Inn Invitational on Sept. 2-3. The Red Flash will face opponents in IUPUI, Montana and Drake over the two-day tournament.