WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Alexandra Sappia recorded a career high of six service aces.
>> Three Saint Francis players hit double digits for a combined 41 kills.
>> Three Red Flash collected double figures equaling 37 digs.
>> Saint Francis lost to LIU in a 3-2 match (25-15, 25-20, 25-23, 27-25, 15-12).
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
After the match was tied at two sets each, Saint Francis and LIU faced off in a fifth set. The Sharks went on quick 3-1 lead but thanks to a Paloma Gonzalez Jaramillo kill and a huge duo block by Aaliyah Toppin and Alyssa Irwin, the Red Flash tied the game up. Saint Francis threw in a little 3-0 run with help from a Korrin Burns kill, Alexa Chapla ace, and a LIU error. The Sharks slowly started to gain a small, yet sturdy lead. The gap never closed, and LIU won on a close 15-12 set to take the game.
FLASH MOMENTS
LIU went on an early 2-0 lead to start the first set, but that energy was only temporary. Saint Francis powered forward with a 4-0 run to gain an advantage. The six-time NEC Player of the Week, Burns fueled this fire with a powerful kill across the court. The Sharks could not handle the heat, creating two attacking errors in favor of the Red Flash. Sappia set up a perfect pass for Kori McClure to smack through the defense's hands to lead. After LIU regained control, Burns sparked some inspiration through her swing and kill. The Sharks could not convert on their opportunity to widen the scoring gap, leaving an opening for a Sappia service ace. Sappia then threw up a high ball for Gwen Atkins to lay down and tie the set at 13 all.
Saint Francis had a slow beginning to the second set, down 20-11. The first kill of the run was by Burns from Sappia. Sappia went on to earn back-to-back service aces to inch closer to LIU. Next was a huge duo block by McClure and Burns forcing the Sharks to take a timeout. Sappia once again set up McClure for a dominate kill that could not be stopped. Another attacking error by LIU put Saint Francis within four.
Later in the third set, the Red Flash trailed behind the LIU 16-12. The transfer student, Paloma Gonzalez Jaramillo, had a monster kill that fueled Saint Francis to go on a 11-5 run. McClure stepped up to line and recorded herself an ace that was needed to slow the Sharks down. Gonzalez Jaramillo hammered another down followed by a kill from both Irwin and Toppin. Sappia found Burns in the back row for a kill that LIU could not handle. Then just went the Sharks thought they were about to extend their lead with a kill, Sappia and Irwin denied them at the net.
The Red Flash narrowed the LIU lead to one, forcing the Sharks to call a timeout late in the third. LIU started to find its rhythm, pushing its lead to 23-21. Saint Francis called a timeout to re-evaluate its defense which did indeed work. McClure and Burns collaborated on a block to shut down the Sharks offense and thin down the score gap. Burns tapped the ball right over the net for an ace of her own to tie the set at 23. Gonzalez Jaramillo found a dime from Sappia to slam down the left side and give Saint Francis the game point. LIU used its last timeout in hopes of regaining control. However, the Sharks could not convert, handing Saint Francis the win on an attacking error.
Saint Francis carried that same energy over to the fourth set with a quick 4-1 start. Instead of ending on an error, LIU started with one. Then Burns registered another service ace off the arms of a Shark defender. Gonzalez Jaramillo and McClure made their presence known at the net with a block that sent the ball straight down to reject the LIU kill. Gonzalez Jaramillo was not satisfied with just a block, so she added a kill to her stats too.
After some LIU kills, the Saint Francis lead fell to one, which was enough fire to put the Red Flash on a 7-2 spurt. This time Irwin sparked the run with a killer hit and Gwen Atkins followed with an ace. Irwin registered two more kills to give the Red Flash a five-point lead, along with two Burns and one Toppin kill. Saint Francis went neck and neck until the match was tied at 25, thanks to a McClure kill. Burns then landed a huge kill to take the lead. LIU tried using a timeout to fight back but they could not due to a heated kill from Gonzalez Jaramillo to force a fifth set.
FLASH NUGGETS
Burns, the six-time NEC Player of the Week and NEC Prime Performer, recorded 17 kills, eight digs, four assisted blocks, and two aces.
McClure, a NEC Player of the Week and three-time NEC Prime Performer, finished with eight kills and five assisted blocks.
Hailey Atkins collected a career high of 11 digs.
Sappia finished the match with 49 assists and 10 digs. Sappia has earned NEC Prime Performer distinction each week of the 2025 season. This is the 17th time that she has had a double-double throughout her career.
Gonzalez Jaramillo collected 12 kills. This is the fifth time this season that she has reached double digits for the Red Flash.
Irwin recorded 12 kills and six assisted blocks on the evening. This is the fourth time that Irwin has hit double digits in her career.
Chandler Alter grabbed 16 digs, allowing her to touch her eighth double digit game for Saint Francis.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis is traveling west to The Windy City for two games at Chicago State on November 7 and 8.
