WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis men's volleyball was defeated by Purdue Fort Wayne in the first match of the Harvard Invitational (29-31, 22-25, 19-25).

>> Andrew Deardorff notched his fourth-straight match with double-digit kills, tallying 14 kills to go along with four digs. The senior outside hitter has combined for 53 kills over the last four matches.

>> Nicholas Lynch tied his career-high in service aces with three. The middle hitter first achieved the feat against the Mastodons on Feb. 2, 2024 and did it again on March 22 versus Daemen.

TURNING POINT OF THE MATCH
Purdue Fort Wayne took a 2-0 lead in the match after two close sets. The Mastodons kept up their momentum by starting out the third set with a 7-1 lead. The Red Flash proceeded to roar back with a 18-8 rally to help them go up 19-15 lead. Despite the efforts, the designated home team countered the run with a 10-0 run of their own to take the set and match.

FLASH MOMENTS
The first set was a tightly-contested affair. It started with Purdue Fort Wayne getting out to a 10-7 lead, but Saint Francis would counter with a 5-2 run to tie it at 12. From there, no team would gain an advantage larger than two until it came down to final serves. The Red Flash had an opportunity to put the set away when they held 24-23, 26-25, and 27-26 leads going into set point, but couldn't capitalize. The Mastodons would stave off set point to knot up the score at 29 and proceeded to take set one, 31-29.

Saint Francis had their best offensive output of the three sets during the opening set, racking up 16 kills and a hitting percentage of .636.

The second repeated the same story as the first, with Purdue Fort Wayne getting to a quick 8-5 advantage. This time, however, Saint Francis went on a 14-7 run to get themselves ahead with a 19-15 lead. Their rally would be countered by the Mastodons with a 10-3 run to give themselves a 25-22 set two win.

FLASH NUGGETS
The Red Flash accumulated a hitting percentage of .246, their highest mark of the season.

Sam Lane had another efficient match around the net and at the service line, posting five kills, a hitting percentage of .625, a season-high two aces, and one block. 

Cole Dorn got his first career start at outside hitter and switched over to libero for the third set. The junior outside hitter registered a team-high five digs and added on three kills.

Ryan Keco played in his first collegiate match during the third set. During the Red Flash's 18-8 run, the freshman opposite contributed a kill and two assisted blocks. Lynch aided Keco on both rejections.

NEXT UP FOR FLASH
Men's Volleyball will face Lincoln Memorial tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 p.m.