WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University men's volleyball claimed a straight set victory over LIU on Saturday to improve to second place in the Northeast Conference.
 
>> Blake Liprando (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) led the team with 15 kills on the day, while Thomas Leahey (State College, Pa./State College Area) led the way as a middle blocker with 3.0 total blocks on Saturday.
 
>> Ryan Parker (East Northport, N.Y./Northport) continued to lead the team as a setter with 41 assists, while also leading the Red Flash with seven digs on the day.
 
>> Liprando, Andrew Deardorff (Itasca, Ill./Lake Park) and Brandon Dunz (Lake View, N.Y./Frontier) each collected a service ace for the Red Flash in Saturday's victory over the Sharks.
 
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The first set was a very close game throughout. However, with the Red Flash up 17-16 in the set, the team was able to extend its lead thanks to a 6-1 run to make the score 23-17. A kill from Leahey, followed by an attack error from the Sharks gave Saint Francis set one, 25-18. The Red Flash continued this momentum throughout the rest of the game for the straight set win.
 
FLASH MOMENTS
LIU found its stride in the second set by starting it off with a 7-3 run. However, the Red Flash responded later on with a 6-1 run to take a 13-10 lead over the Sharks. Saint Francis held this lead for the remainder of set two. A final block from Deardorff and Leahey gave the Red Flash the second set, 25-22.
 
The third set started off back-and-forth between the Sharks and Red Flash. However, Saint Francis captured a 5-1 run to make the score 9-5. The Red Flash held this lead for the remainder of the game. A service error from the Sharks gave the Red Flash the match point in set three, 25-22.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
Saturday's win was the sixth consecutive victory for the Red Flash and ninth sweep on the season.
 
UP NEXT
The Red Flash are back in action at home next weekend for its final regular season matches. The team will take on D'Youville on Friday, April 14 at 6:00 p.m. and Daemen on Saturday, April 15 at 4:00 p.m.