WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball will compete in Cambridge, Mass., this weekend to take on McKendree and North Greenville on Friday, Jan. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 28. Both games are set for a 4:00 p.m. start.
 
>> Both games can be followed live on ESPN+ or with live stats.
 
THE WORD ON THE BEARCATS
McKendree started off the 2023 season 1-2 after back-to-back losses to Brigham Young and No. 6 UC Irvine in straight sets. The Bearcats most recently came away with its first win against NJIT in four sets.
 
The Bearcats were picked to finish fifth in the MIVA. Kevin Schuele has been a key statistical leader for McKendree so far this season. Schuele leads the Bearcats with 36 kills, 20 digs and five services aces on the season. Daniel Duggan leads the team a blocker with 10.0 total blocks this season, while Tyler Poulsen stands on top as a setter with 108 assists on the season.
 
LAST TIME WE MET THE BEARCATS
McKendree holds the overall series record against the Red Flash at 3-1. The Red Flash last defeated the Bearcats at home in 2019 over four sets. The last time the two teams met was in 2020 in Lebanon, Ill. when the Bearcats defeated the Red Flash in straight sets.
 
THE WORD ON THE CRUSADERS
North Greenville comes into the weekend 3-0 overall after three consecutive straight set wins over Queens University of Charlotte, Tusculum and most recently, Limestone. Michael de la Cruz leads the Crusaders on the offensive end with 30 kills and nine service aces over nine sets so far this season. Also, Diego Rosich and Emanuel Adames leads North Greenville on the defensive end in the early going of the season. Rosich with 20 digs and Adames and Rosich with 6.0 blocks each.
 
North Greenville Men's Volleyball Head Coach Matthew McManaway enters his first season as head coach in the 2023 season. In addition, the Crusaders were picked to finish first in the Conference Carolinas this season as the team won the conference championship in 2022. This marks the first time the team has ever been picked to finish first in the conference.
 
LAST TIME WE MET THE CRUSADERS
Saturday's match marks the first time the Crusaders and Red Flash men's volleyball programs have met.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Red Flash currently stand at 0-4 overall this season after dropping two matches at No. 7 Stanford and two matches at No.1 Hawaii.
 
Nathan Zini and Brandon Dunz both notched NEC major Weekly awards after their performances at No.1 Hawaii last week. Over six sets on the week, Zini notched 20 kills and five digs for 20.0 total points. In addition, the opposite averaged 3.33 kills per set. Dunz posted 8.0 blocks and five digs for the team over six sets on the weekend to give the middle blocker his first ever conference award.
 
On the offensive end, Zini leads the Red Flash with 46 kills, while Ryan Parker leads the team with six service aces and 107 assists as the setter. In addition, Peyton Blain and Thomas Leahey led Saint Francis on the defensive end. Blain with 20 digs and Leahey with 12.0 blocks.
 
UP NEXT
Following this weekend's matches, the Red Flash will take on NJIT in Newark, N.J. on Friday, Feb. 3 at 4:00 p.m. Followed by the team's home opener on Saturday, Feb. 4 at 7:00 p.m. against Alderson Broaddus.