WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Alexandra Sappia's three service aces in the fifth set aided the Red Flash in victory.
>> Kori McClure and Korrin Burns both collected double digit kills.
>> Three Red Flash collected double digits in digs.
>> Saint Francis volleyball extends its win streak to nine games.
>> The Red Flash battled the Knights in a 3-2 win (27-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-15, 16-14).
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The Red Flash started the fifth set off strong, going on a 5-1 lead with help from three Korrin Burns kills, a Kori McClure kill, and an Alexa Chapla ace. FDU went on a run taking the lead 11-9 and forced a Saint Francis timeout. After a couple more FDU kills, the Red Flash took another timeout while being down 13-10. Saint Francis and FDU exchanged service errors giving FDU game point. FDU slipped up and had a bad set, giving Alexandra Sappia her moment to show why she leads the NEC in service aces. She tossed one over that bounced off the arms of FDU, then forcing them to take a timeout. Although Sappia was not done yet, throwing another one off the arms of FDU. She then proceeds to set up Gwen Atkins for a mind-blowing kill to take the lead 15-14. With Saint Francis at game point, it was Sappia back on the line. As she hit the ball over one last time, FDU could not handle the heat, giving Sappia another ace to claim the win 3-2.
FLASH MOMENTS
After a slow start for the Red Flash, down 14-8 to FDU, Saint Francis powered up a 5-2 run thanks to an Chapla service ace. Burns then had back-to-back kills, one set up by Sappia and one by Hailey Atkins. FDU could not stop Burns from fueling the Red Flash. Burns collected herself a service ace reducing the point gap down to three. Saint Francis continued to go on a 10-4 to tie the game 24 all. This run was aided by two kills down the middle from Alyssa Irwin followed by a Paloma Gonzalez Jaramillo kill. Then Burns and Gwen Atkins both threw in a kill to tighten the gap. Sappia tossed in a service ace to fluster FDU into two straight errors.
Saint Francis did not hold back in the second set, going on an 8-2 run to extend its lead to 16-9. This time the run was charged by Burns and once again Irwin at the forefront. FDU called a timeout in hopes of some sparks but was shut down by Saint Francis offense. Gonzalez Jaramillo laid one across court to earn herself a tally in the kill column. Burns decides to collect herself some kills and registers three more during the run. To extend the lead for the Red Flash one more time was Irwin to the right side set up by a beautiful assist by Sappia. To cap off the set in favor of Saint Francis, a usual Chapla service ace was claimed.
With the evening sets tied 1-1, FDU started the third set strong forcing an early Saint Francis timeout. However, the Red Flash utilized it creating opportunities for both an Irwin and two McClure kills. With the score 20-14 in favor of the Knights, Saint Francis called a timeout that fueled a 5-2 run. Sappia set up a dime for Irwin to collected yet another kill on the night. FDU could not handle the ball, creating three service errors on the net. McClure closed off the run with a dominate kill through two FDU hands.
In the fourth set, Saint Francis and FDU went back and forth exchanging points until Freshman Gwen Atkins stepped up. She sparked fire in McClure to collect two service aces, forcing FDU to call a timeout. However, that did not stop Saint Francis from continuing its run. Gwen Atkins collected an ace, Gonzalez Jaramillo and Irwin both registered a kill, and Burns had three kills, including the set point to force the fifth.
FLASH NUGGETS
Burns, the five-time NEC Player of the Week and NEC Prime Performer, finished the evening with 26 kills and 13 digs. This is her 20th game with 20+ kills and 21st double-double of her career. This is Burns fourth straight game with 20+ kills.
McClure, a NEC Player of the Week and NEC Prime Performer, registered 12 kills, four service aces, and two digs. This is her seventh double digit game of this season.
Gwen Atkins, the three-time NEC Rookie of the Week, added nine kills, seven digs, two assists, and two aces.
Chandler Alter had a team high of 14 digs, tying her Red Flash career high.
Sappia finished the match with 52 assists, 10 digs, and four aces. With this game, she has now registered her 10th 50+ assist game of her career. Sappia has earned NEC Prime Performer distinction each week of the 2025 season.
Chapla had six digs and threw in three service aces.
Gonzalez Jaramillo collected nine kills and five digs.
Irwin recorded nine kills on the night, with a hitting percentage of .529.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis continues its win streak with another face off against FDU tomorrow at 1pm.
