WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball dropped its season opener to Stanford, 3-1 on Friday.
 
>> Nathan Zini (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle Catholic) and Brady Stump (York, Pa./York Suburban) both led the way for the Red Flash with 10 kills apiece.
 
>> Blake Liprando (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the way defensively with six digs, while also posting six kills and one service ace for the team.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
With the Red Flash down 2-0, the team found its stride in the third set. With set three tied at eight, the Red Flash recorded a 3-1 run to never allow The Cardinal to lead again in the third set. A 4-2 run that ended with a set point from Thomas Leahey (State College, Pa./State College Area) coming off the hands of Ryan Parker (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) gave Saint Francis the third set, 25-21.
 
FLASH MOMENTS
The Red Flash got on the board first in set one thanks to a kill from Zini. However, that would be the only lead for Saint Francis in set one. The Cardinal would go on to claim the first set, 25-16.
 
The second set was more of a battle between both teams early on featuring eight tied scores. However, with set two tied at nine, The Cardinal notched a 5-1 run to earn the lead and hold it for the remainder of the second set for Stanford to claim set two, 25-16.
 
Saint Francis continued its momentum early on in the fourth set to hold The Cardinal from taking the lead until almost mid-set to make the score 12-11. Stanford maintained its lead for the remainder of the fourth set to claim the final set, 25-22.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
Elijah Lazor (Parkersburg, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) and Stump both made their collegiate career debuts in Friday's season opener.
 
UP NEXT
The Red Flash will continue at Stanford Saturday, Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. EST./5 p.m. PST.