WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball will be on the road for the final time in the regular season this weekend by taking on Sacred Heart on Friday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. and Merrimack on Saturday, April 1 at 6:00 p.m.
>> Both games can be followed on NEC Front Row and with live stats.
THE WORD ON THE PIONEERS
Sacred Heart comes into the weekend 4-4 in the NEC and 7-9 overall, coming in fifth overall in conference. The Pioneers went 1-1 at home last weekend after defeating St. Francis Brooklyn in straight sets but dropping to LIU in four sets.
Mark Berry leads Sacred Heart as the hitter with 177 kills this season, while Tyler Kwinta stands out as the setter with 484 assists. Cole Younger and Ife Loverton lead the way on the defensive end. Younger with 133 digs and Loverton with 61.0 total blocks.
LAST TIME WE MET THE PIONEERS
The Red Flash lead in the overall series against the Pioneers at 29-5. The two teams' most recent matchup came in Loretto, Pa. when the Red Flash defeated the Pioneers in straight sets. The Red Flash held the Pioneers to only take the lead on one occasion at 1-0 in set two, which was quickly ended by a 5-1 run from Saint Francis.
THE WORD ON THE WARRIORS
Merrimack comes into the weekend with an 8-11 overall record and 2-6 in conference in the team's inaugural season. The Warriors lead the NEC as a team in services aces with 118 on the season. The two conference wins for Merrimack came over D'Youville in five sets and Sacred Heart in four.
Most recently, Merrimack has dropped in its last two conference home matches last weekend. First, in a four-set loss to LIU and next in a straight set loss to St. Francis Brooklyn. Merrimack will take on FDU at home on Friday, March 31 at 5:00 p.m. before facing the Red Flash on Saturday.
LAST TIME WE MET THE WARRIORS
The Red Flash and Warriors have only met once as this is the first ever season of Merrimack men's volleyball. The meeting came earlier this season in Loretto, Pa. when Saint Francis defeated Merrimack in straight sets.
LAST TIME OUT
The Red Flash come into the weekend at 9-11 overall and 6-2 in the NEC. The team has won five out of its last six games. Most recently, Saint Francis swept the weekend with a straight set win over D'Youvile, followed by a five-set thrilling win over top NEC ranked Daemen.
Saint Francis' stellar performance this past weekend allowed for three men's volleyball players to earn weekly NEC recognition.
Ryan Parker was named NEC Player of the week,
Thomas Leahey was named NEC Defensive Player of the week, while
Andrew Deardorff earned a spot on the NEC Prime Performer list. Parker currently leads the NEC in service aces with 28 on the season, five of those came in Saturday's win over Daemen alone.
UP NEXT
Saint Francis will conclude the regular season with a four-game home stanza starting with St. Francis Brooklyn on Friday, April 7 at 6:00 p.m.
