WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball defeated Daemen over four sets on Saturday to earn the Northeast Conference Regular Season Champions Title.
 
>> With Saturday's win, the Red Flash will host the Northeast Conference Men's Volleyball tournament from April 19-22.
 
>> Ryan Parker (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) led the Red Flash in three statistical categories on Saturday night with three service aces, 48 assists and eight digs.
 
>> Andrew Deardorff (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park) led the team as a hitter by notching 23 kills on the day.
 
>> The senior middle blocker duo, Thomas Leahey (State College, Pa./State College Area) and Brandon Dunz (Lake View, N.Y./Frontier) combined for 7.0 total blocks on the day.
 
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
With the Red Flash up 2-1 in the game, the fourth set would be the final turning point of the game. Set four started off similar to the third set with both teams battling to begin with. However, with the Red Flash down 8-6, the team put up a 7-1 run to take a 13-9 lead over the Wildcats. Saint Francis held this lead for the remainder of the fourth set. A match point service ace from Parker secured the final set for the Red Flash, 25-19.
 
FLASH MOMENTS
The Red Flash started off the first set with a 3-1 run to never allow Daemen to lead in set one. A final kill from Leahey secured set one for Saint Francis, 25-20.
 
The Wildcats got its first lead of the game in the second set by starting it off with a 2-0 run. Daemen continued to hold its lead for the majority of set two. The Red Flash took its first lead of set two after notching a 5-1 run to make the score 19-16. However, the Wildcats responded with a 5-1 run themselves to take the lead once again and turn the remainder of the set into a battle. Daemen was eventually able to come away with the extended second set, 28-26.
 
The third set was a very close battle between the Red Flash and Wildcats early on. However, with the Red Flash down 11-9, the team recorded a 6-1 run to take a 15-12 lead over Daemen. The Red Flash held this lead for the remainder of the set. A service error from Daemen gave the Red Flash set three, 25-17.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
Prior to Saturday's match, DeGol Arena recognized Nicholas Pozzuto, Braden Richard, Blake Liprando, Alex Finch, AJ Schmidt, Matthew Menosky, Jason Geary, Brandon Dunz and Thomas Leahey for their hard work and dedication to the Saint Francis men's volleyball program for the past four years.
 
Deardorff's 23 kills on Saturday was a new career high for the sophomore. In addition, the outside hitter notched a new career high of three solo blocks in the win over the Wildcats.
 
UP NEXT
The Red Flash will now turn its attention to the semifinal round of the NEC Tournament on April 20 at 7:00 p.m. in Loretto, Pa. with opponent to be determined.