WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball defeated Sacred Heart on Thursday in straight sets to advance to the NEC Championship on Saturday, April 22.
 
>> Blake Liprando (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the Red Flash overall as the hitter with 14 kills. Andrew Deardorff (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park) followed closely behind with 11 kills and added 4.0 total blocks for the team.
 
>> Thomas Leahey (State College, Pa./State College Area) led the way in blocking with 5.0 total blocks and added nine kills for the Red Flash.
 
>> Matthew Menosky (Washington, Pa./Bishop Canevin) led the team as the libero with five digs, while Ryan Parker (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) led as the setter with 34 assists on the day.
 
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
Although the first set was a very close game and tied on several occasions, the Red Flash never allowed the Pioneers to lead in set one after starting it off with a 3-1 run. With set one tied at 23, a kill from Liprando followed by a service ace from Liprando secured the first set for the Red Flash, 25-23. The Red Flash continued its momentum for the remainder of the game for the straight set victory.
 
FLASH MOMENTS
The second set was more of a close a close battle early on between the Red Flash and Pioneers. However, with the Red Flash down 16-15 in set two, the team notched a 5-1 run to take the lead and hold it for the remainder of set two. A final kill from Leahey gave Saint Francis set two, 25-21.
 
The Red Flash continued its momentum into set three by starting it off with a 4-1 run to never allow Sacred Heart to lead in the final set. A final kill from Braden Richard (York, Pa./Central York) gave Saint Francis the third and final set, 25-19.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
Parker, Leahey and Liprando all notched a service ace for the Red Flash in Thursday's game. In addition, Parker notched a new career high of six kills as the setter on Thursday.

Thursday's win increase the team's wining streak to nine and is the team's 11th straight set victory of the season. 
 
UP NEXT
Saint Francis will take on No. 3 LIU in the NEC Championship on Saturday, April 22 at 4:00 p.m.