WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Saint Francis men's volleyball put an end to their non-conference schedule by sweeping Roberts Wesleyan Saturday afternoon (25-19, 25-22, 25-17).
>> Brady Stump returned after missing the last two matches with an illness to record 10 kills, two digs, and two blocks. The junior is now up to five-straight contests with 10 or more kills.
>> Andrew Deardorff was second on the team in kills with nine kills. The senior outside hitter posted three aces and two digs as well.
>> Jackson Decker came in for two sets and notched a career-high seven kills on a .600 hitting percentage. The sophomore also tallied two digs and registered his first collegiate service ace and assisted block.
TURNING POINTS OF THE MATCH
Set one started out with a blazing 14-7 lead for the Red Flash. The Redhawks proceeded to cut their deficit to 17-14 with a 7-3 run, but it wasn't enough momentum to get back into the set. Saint Francis scored eight of the final 13 points to take the first set, 25-19.
The second set began with the Red Flash once again maintaining firm control. They went up 11-6 to start out and kept their advantage at 16-12 at the midway point. Roberts Wesleyan did not back down, however, as they went on a 4-1 rally to cut their deficit to 17-16. The visiting team kept up their resilience by pushing the score to 23-22 going into the final serves. Saint Francis put an end to the comeback with a Decker kill and a Nicholas Lynch service ace to help give themselves a 25-22 set two win.
Set three started out as a tightly-contested battle, with the two squads all tied up at 11. It would not last, however, as Saint Francis went on a quick 5-1 run to go up 16-12. It would ultimately be the difference maker, as the team used it to outscore the Redhawks, 14-6. Brayden Gall put an exclamation point on the match with a match point kill to give the home team the victory.
FLASH MOMENTS
Saint Francis held Roberts Wesleyan to five kills and a .000 hitting percentage in the first set.
Set two was the Red Flash's best offensive performance, accumulating 16 kills, a .423 hitting percentage, and four aces. Stump (5) and Decker (4) combined for nine of the 16 slams.
During the 14-6 run that put the match away, the squad put together seven kills during the stretch. Brayden Kuruzovich subbed in when the score was 10-9 and dished out five assists and a kill during the game-ending rally.
FLASH NUGGETS\
Saint Francis ended their non-conference slate of 18 contests by winning five of their last six matches dating back to their 3-1 win over Dominican on February 22. The squad will be battling in a Northeast Conference consisting of five teams starting next week.
The Red Flash held the Redhawks to a .115 hitting percentage and 20 kills. Both marks are season-best totals for the defense.
Deardorff's three aces gives him 17 over the last six matches dating back to the first match of the Dominican series on February 21. The senior now has 34 on the season and is 10 away from 100 career aces.
Nathan Hayes got his second start of the season and led the squad with 25 assists and a season-high eight digs. The senior added three kills as well.
Stump and Gall tied for the team high in blocks with two.
Avery Farabaugh got into a match for the first time with the Red Flash during the first set. The graduate student previously played at Penn State Altoona for his first four years.
NEXT UP FOR FLASH
Men's Volleyball will begin NEC play at home against D'Youville March 21-22. The first match of the 21st will be at 6:00 p.m., and the following day's battle will commence at 4 p.m.
