WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Four Red Flash combined for 45 kills.
>> Kyle Charles registered 42 assists on the afternoon.
>> Saint Francis beat Northern Kentucky for the second time (25-20, 17-25, 26-24, 25-22).
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
Saint Francis gained strength going into the third set as a 6-0 run was produced. Charles set up Cole Dorn and Brady Stump for two powerful kills. The Norse had back-to-back attacking errors, handing the Red Flash the advantage. Nicholas Lynch threw in a solo kill to extend the lead 6-3.
To end the third, Saint Francis went on a 5-1 run to claim the third set 26-24. Nathan Zini and Stump collected kills to force Northern Kentucky to call a timeout; however, it did not work. Charles once again set up Stump for two kills, and a Dorn kill to close out the set. This set gave the Red Flash the fire to claim the fourth set and beat the Norse a second time 3-1.
FLASH MOMENTS
With the Red Flash down 8-7, Charles set up Stump to slam down the ball and give momentum to Saint Francis. Zini was the next player to gain a kill during the 5-0 run, following right behind was Dorn. Zini decided to collect himself an ace too. To end the set winning boost, Charles and Sam Lane registered a duo block to deny Northern Kentucky at the net.
Saint Francis found themselves down by one point again and repeated the same process, this time with a 4-0 run. Charles set up Zini twice and then Lynch recorded a kill himself, to make Northern Kentucky call another timeout. Dorn came out of the break with fire, sending a serve over the net to spin off the defenders' hands.
FLASH NUGGETS
Stump, the NEC Player of the Week, finished the afternoon with 13 kills, six digs, a .345 hitting percentage, and two blocks.
Lane registered six kills and four blocks including a solo.
Zini collected 12 kills, six digs, and two assisted blocks.
Lynch recorded 10 kills, .412 hitting percentage, and two assisted blocks.
Charles tossed in 42 assists, five digs, and two assisted blocks.
Dorn finished with 10 kills, seven digs, and two aces.
NEXT ON TAP
The Red Flash will host their home opener in Loretto, Pa. on Saturday and Sunday of next week. The games start at 4 p.m. on the 24.
