WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Kyle Charles registered a double double.
>> Three Red Flash athletes combined for a total of 39 kills.
>> Saint Francis won in four against Roberts Wesleyan (25-23, 25-27, 25-23, 25-16).
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
Down by one point late in the third set, Saint Francis went on 5-1 surge to take and extend the lead. This run started with a Nathan Zini kill set up by Charles. After a long rally, Charles set up another high ball, this time for Brady Stump to finish to force a Redhawks timeout. The Red Flash kept up its energy, with a huge kill from Jackson Decker to take the set.
FLASH QUOTES
"I want to thank Roberts Wesleyan for coming out, they push us every time we compete against them. Both matches were hard fought and went deep, with one going five sets and the other four. That kind of competition really tests you, and I was proud of how our team responded. We fought back in key moments and found a way to come out on top both times" said Head Coach Mike Rumbaugh.
FLASH MOMENTS
Saint Francis started the first set with the same burst of energy they started ended yesterday's match with. The Red Flash went on a 4-1 run thanks to a number of factors. Charles set up Cole Dorn and Nathan Zini for a kill each. The Redhawks claimed an attacking error and a service error to put Saint Francis in the lead 4-2. The Red Flash kept the lead until the very end as Brady Stump ended the set with a massive kill.
With the second set tied 6-6, Saint Francis went on a 3-0 run to take the lead. Charles set up Dorn and then Zini for two untouchable kills. Then to continue disrupting the Redhawks offense, Zini and Brayden Gall had a duo block.
Up 15-11, Saint Francis was not satisfied with the gap, so they went on a 5-1 run. Charles once again set up Zini for his 12 kill of the afternoon. Gall and Charles registered a duo block to shut down the Redhawks outside hitter. Gall followed that block with a kill of his own. Then after a Dorn kill, Roberts Wesleyan called a timeout. Tate Myatt closed out the game with a kill to win the match.
FLASH NUGGETS
Stump, a NEC Player of the Week, finished the evening with 16 kills, five digs, and two aces.
Lane registered five kills and a .714 hitting percentage.
Zini collected 13 kills, eight digs, and an ace.
Charles tossed in 43 assists, 12 digs, and three assisted blocks.
Dorn finished with 10 kills and six digs.
Jack Wolgemuth had 11 digs in the win.
Gall collected five kills, five assisted blocks, three digs, and a .625 hitting percentage.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis will face Penn State next weekend with one match away and one home. On Friday, the Red Flash will head to University Park for a 6:00 p.m. game time. The next day, Saturday, Penn State will travel to Loretto for the second match at 6:00 p.m.
