Saint Francis began the fifth set ahead thanks to an error by the Pios and a kill by Korrin Burns (Clarion, Pa.), but Sacred Heart was unrelenting. Down 2-4, a kill by Drew Wallech (Hagerstown, Md.) kept the score within one before a three-point run by the Pioneers kept them out in front. Kills by Eicher and Burns attempted to keep the Red Flash in the set, but it was not enough to come back from a 6-13 deficit.

FLASH MOMENTS
The Red Flash started set two behind but put their foot on the gas to win the set in commanding fashion.

An error by the Pioneers tied the set at four apiece with another giving Saint Francis the lead. Alexandra Sappia (West Palm Beach, Fla.) sent back-to-back service aces to the Pioneers side. An attack error by Sacred Heart stretched the Red Flash lead to 8-4. A kill by Kori McClure (Westerville, Ohio) ended the run, making the score 9-4.

The Pioneers attempted to come back, but Saint Francis had a healthy 21-12 lead before going on a four-point run to win the set. Eicher got it past the defense to inch closer to set point. Burns registered two kills of her own to bring up set point, with a bad set by the Pios pushing the Red Flash to 25 points to win the set.

A five-point run in the fourth set gave the Red Flash the momentum to send the match to the fifth set.

A kill by Burns set the score at six apiece, with an error by the Pios giving Saint Francis a narrow lead. Maggie Hogan (Northern Cambria, Pa.) found weak spots in the Sacred Heart defense, recording three service aces to take a 10-6 lead. Later in the set, Hogan did it again, earning two more service aces to make the score 19-18.

The lead flip-flopped, but a kill by Eicher and an ace by Alexa Chapla (Pittsburgh, Pa.) set up the set point. Ava Holden (Macungie, Pa.) and Allison Murray (Pittsburgh, Pa.) dealt the set-winning block for the Red Flash.

FLASH NUGGETS
Burns took second in kills for the Red Flash, tallying 13.

Hogan recorded a career-high eight service aces, earning five in set four alone. She also tallied the most digs for Saint Francis with 13.

Holden and Wallech held strong at the net, leading Saint Francis in blocks with four assisted blocks each.

Eicher earned a double-double with 20 kills and 10 digs.

UP NEXT
Saint Francis will play CCSU on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. in Detrick Gymnasium.