WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis University Men's Volleyball moves on to the NEC Championship game after a 3-0 win over Sacred Heart Thursday night (25-22, 25-19, 25-22).
>> The Red Flash will face #2 Daemen, who are coming off their own 3-0 win over #4 FDU.
>> Nathan Zini led the way offensively with a team-high 14 kills, a .448 hitting percentage and two service aces.
>> Nicholas Lynch had an all-around performance of six kills, a .750 hitting percentage, and five blocks.
TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH
Saint Francis won sets one and two to take a 2-0 lead in the match. The team held a 18-14 lead to start the third set, but a 6-2 rally by the Pioneers tied up the score at 20. With a chance at a spot in the championship, the Red Flash responded with a 5-2 run to take back control. Zini's 16th kill of the match secured the sweep by a set three final score of 25-22.
FLASH MOMENTS
The opening set started off with Saint Francis getting out to a 12-7 lead. The squad never let the lead get below two for the remainder of the set, furthering their lead as big as 19-14. Sacred Heart cut their deficit to 24-22 by the final serves, but Andrew Deardorff wrapped up the set with a kill to help give the Red Flash a 1-0 lead.
To start out the second set, the Red Flash got out to a 10-5 lead. Sacred Heart fought back to make the score 16-15 midway through. With a potential comeback on the horizon, Saint Francis put an end to that with a 9-4 run to take back momentum. A Ryan Parker kill helped give the home team a 2-0 lead.
FLASH NUGGETS
Peyton Blain led the squad in digs with seven. He helped lead a Red Flash defensive effort of holding the Pioneers' offense to 26 kills and a .172 hitting percentage.
The offense, thanks to Parker's 39 assists, racked up 39 kills and a .329 hitting percentage.
Michael Mosbacher tallied a team-leading three service aces and added on five kills. Mosbacher and Parker each recorded two blocks apiece.
Andrew Deardorff registered seven kills and four digs.
UP NEXT
Men's Volleyball will be facing off against #2 Daemen in the NEC Championship game on Saturday.
