WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball took a 3-0 loss at NJIT Friday despite a very close match throughout.
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Blake Liprando (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the Red Flash offensively on Friday with 11 kills and two service aces.
Nathan Zini (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton-La Salle Catholic) followed closely behind with ten kills and one service ace on the day.
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Thomas Leahey (State College, Pa./State College Area) and
Matthew Menosky (Washington, Pa./Bishop Canevin) led Saint Francis on the defensive end. Leahey with four blocks and Menosky with six digs.
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Ryan Parker (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) and
AJ Schmidt (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny) both earned their setter positions for the Red Flash on Friday to put up a combined 23 assists.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The Red Flash started off a positive first set by getting on the board first and maintaining the lead early on in set one. However, the Highlanders hustled back to put up a 6-1 run to make the score 14-11 in favor of NJIT. The Highlanders held this lead for the remainder of the first set to earn it, 25-19. NJIT was energized from claiming the first set to be able to go on and claim the next two sets for the straight set win.
FLASH MOMENTS
The second set was more of a back-and-forth battle throughout the entire set. With the second set coming down to the wire, the Highlanders put up a 2-0 run to claim the 25-23 second set over the Red Flash.
The third set was very close throughout, but NJIT was able to stay on top for the majority of set three. Despite this, the Red Flash never gave up as Saint Francis held NJIT from claiming the game by denying the Highlanders in three total match points. However, the Highlanders came away with the final set, 25-23.
FLASH NUGGETS
Brandon Dunz (Lake View, N.Y./Frontier) earned his 100th career kill in Friday's match to the Highlanders.
UP NEXT
The Red Flash will come back to Loretto, Pa. for its 2023 home opener on Saturday, Feb. 4 against Alderson Broaddus at 7:00 p.m.
