WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball defeated the top NEC ranked Daemen Wildcats over a five-set battle on Saturday for Daemen's first conference loss of the season.
 
>> The Wildcats claimed sets two and four, while the Red Flash were able to come away with sets one, three and five.  
 
>> Andrew Deardorff (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park) led the Red Flash with 22 kills overall and added three blocks.
 
>> Thomas Leahey (State College, Pa./State College Area) and Peyton Blain (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin) led the team on the defensive end. Leahey with 5.0 total blocks and Blain with nine digs.
 
>> Ryan Parker (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) continued to lead Saint Francis as the setter by posting 45 assists. Parker also led the team in service aces by collecting five on the day.
 
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
With the game tied at two, the fifth set was the final turning point of Saturday's matchup. Just like the rest of the game, the final set came down to the wire. With the Wildcats up 15-14 in the fifth set, the Red Flash recorded a 3-0 run, featuring a kill from Leahey, followed by two consecutive blocks from Leahey as well. Saint Francis secured set five, 17-15.
 
FLASH MOMENTS
The first set was a very close game, but the Wildcats maintained a close lead for the majority of the time. Three consecutive service aces from Parker, gave the Red Flash its first lead of the game at 19-18. However, Daemen responded with a 5-1 run to make the score 23-20 in favor of the Wildcats, but the Red Flash were not finished. Saint Francis responded with a 6-1 run to come away with the first set, 26-24. The Red Flash only led twice in the first set, once at 19-18 and another in the final set score at 26-24.
 
The second set went back-and-forth early on. However, after Daemen took a 5-4 lead over the Red Flash, the Wildcats were able to hold this lead for the reminder of the second set. Daemen claimed set two, 25-19.
 
The third set started off very similar to the second set with both teams competing closely. However, in the third set it was the Red Flash that was able to take control. With Saint Francis down 5-4, the team notched a 5-1 run to take the 9-6 lead over Daemen. The Wildcats came back later on in the set to tie things up on a few occasions. However, with set three tied at 24, the Red Flash were able to come away with two points thanks to back-to-back blocks from Deardorff to claim set three, 26-24.
 
Daemen controlled the majority of the fourth set to only allow the Red Flash to lead once in the set. The Wildcats took set four, 25-18.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
There were quite a few new game highs in Saturday's victory. Deardorff's 22 kill was a new game high for the sophomore, while his three solo blocks was also a game high.
 
In addition, Parker's five service aces and five kills were new career game highs for the setter. Also, Leahey's four solo blocks was a new game high for the middle blocker.
 
UP NEXT
The Red Flash will continue on the road for the final time in the regular season next weekend. The team will take on Sacred Heart on Friday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. and Merrimack on Saturday, April 1 at 6:00 p.m.