Two-time EIVA All-Conference selectee Alessandro Negri leads NJIT in kills with 104. Griffin Fieseler engineers the offense as the setter with 268 assists. On the defensive side, libero Ron Tidhar has recorded a team-leading 47 digs and Andrew Fedmasu leads the Highlanders in total blocks with 25.
LAST TIME WE MET THE HIGHLANDERS
The Red Flash and NJIT faced off twice during the 2023 season, splitting the season series. The first matchup saw the Highlanders win in straight sets on their court.
The second match later on in the season at DeGol saw Saint Francis drop a close set one, 30-28. However, they rebounded from it by winning the final three sets, including taking each of the final two sets by more than 10 points (25-14, 25-15). Ryan Parker led the way with 34 assists and added six total blocks.
As former foes in the EIVA, tonight's contest marks the 69th matchup between the programs. The Red Flash are looking for their 25th win in the series.
THE WORD ON QUEENS
The Royals are 3-3 on the season. The newest member of the Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association has faced off against Charleston, a team that the Red Flash will be playing on Feb. 9-10. The Queens dropped their matchup with the Golden Eagles in four sets.
Jack Brinkman leads the Royals in kills with 55. Daniel Leitao commands the offense with 170 assists. On the defensive side, Matthew Pilch is the digs leader with 28 and Stirling Sims has a team-leading 22 total blocks.
LAST TIME WE MET THE ROYALS
Sunday's match will be the 18th matchup all-time between Saint Francis and Queens, with the Red Flash holding a 10-7 overall series lead. Last season's match saw the team win in four sets on the Royals' home floor.
LAST TIME OUT
The Red Flash captured their first wins of the 2024 season last weekend in sweeps over Dominican and Central State. Mike Rumbaugh tallied his 300th career victory in the second match against the Marauders. Saint Francis now has a 2-3 overall record.
In four sets of action, two-time NEC Player of the Week and Prime Performer Nathan Zini recorded 13 kills and five service aces overall. Ryan Parker was the commander of the offense, notching 36 assists and became the fifth men's volleyball player to record 1,500+ career assists. Peyton Blain shined on the defensive side once again, registering 19 digs to increase his NEC-leading total to 49.
The Red Flash defense held Dominican and Central State to hitting percentages of -.065 and -.037, respectively.
UP NEXT
The Red Flash will travel to Purdue Fort Wayne in the first of 10 straight road matches Friday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m.
