>> With tonight's win, the Red Flash have a chance to clinch the NEC Regular Season Championship in next week's series against D'Youville. If Daemen loses to LIU, who play tonight as well, the team can win it in the first match on Friday, April 5.
>> Nathan Zini led the Red Flash in kills with 20. It is the fourth time this season that the junior opposite has tallied over 20. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native, along with Ryan Parker, registered two service aces. He also tied Elijah Lazor for the most blocks with four.
>> Peyton Blain racked up 11 digs. He now sits at 267, tied with Zach Nanni in 2007 for the most digs in a single season.
TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH
Saint Francis commanded set two to go up 2-0 in the match. Set three saw the two teams tied up at 11 going into the middle of the set. With a chance at a sweep, the Red Flash roared to a 8-1 run to take all momentum. The offense was in a groove, recording a hitting percentage of .667 and 14 kills.
The team overall outscored the Warriors 14-5 through the remainder of the set. An attack error from Kai Vogel helped give the home team the sweep.
FLASH MOMENTS
The opening set was a duel, with the largest lead for the Red Flash being just 16-14. Once it was tied at 23, the two teams duked it out in a back-and-forth affair where the Red Flash staved off set point two times. With the team trailing 29-28, Saint Francis would preserve with three straight points to take set one, 31-29. The team posted 18 kills to help them go up 1-0.
Set two saw the Red Flash get out to a 8-2 start, and increase their lead as high as 22-13. The defense put on a clinic by holding the Warriors' offense to a -.069 hitting percentage and tallying three blocks. Saint Francis never trailed in the set, and a service error from Merrimack's Nick Tidick ended the set with a final score of 25-17.
FLASH NUGGETS
In four matchups, the Red Flash are 12-1 in sets won against the Warriors.
The offense had its highest hitting percentage since Mar. 5 versus Fort Valley State at .416. The squad tacked on 45 kills, with Parker engineering the efficient offensive attack with 40 assists.
On defense, Saint Francis held Merrimack's offense to a .105 hitting percentage, the lowest total since holding Edward Waters to a .096 on Mar. 5. The team held a 8-3 advantage in blocks as well.
Along with his offensive prowess, Zini picked up seven digs. Parker followed behind with six of his own.
Andrew Deardorff tallied seven kills, a hitting percentage of .500, four digs, one ace and one block.
Sam Lane recorded six kills, a hitting percentage of .545, and three blocks.
UP NEXT
Men's Volleyball will travel to Buffalo, N.Y. for their season series against D'Youville April 5-6.
