STEUBENVILLE, Ohio. -- Three Red Wolves notched double digits numbers, including two who had double doubles. Saint Francis claimed the fifth set for the win against PAC opponent Franciscan.
Franciscan had an early lead that set the tone for the first set, winning 25-13. However, the second set started differently with the Red Wolves going on a 4-1 push. Alexandra Sappia aided Madison Roman for a kill from the back row. Rylan Crowell then set up Roman for a kill right before nabbing her own kill. Crowell threw up a high ball for Sappia to add a kill to her column. A few points were thrown in amongst the back-and-forth set. Roman had an ace and three kills, Crowell had three kills, and Ana Andrades-Villa collected an ace. Saint Francis won the second set 25-19.
With the third set tied at 18, the Red Wolves found fuel to claim the set 25-22. Ava Holden was set up by Sappia for a kill down the middle right before Emmi Adrian stole a service ace. After a forced Franciscan timeout, Sappia and Holden kept the energy with a duo block. Holden had the 23rd and 24th point before a service ace took the 25th.
In the fourth, there was a small run by Saint Francis to bring the set to a tie of 10. Sappia nabbed another ace while Crowell registered a kill on the left side. Middle blocker Lorah Thomas recorded a solo block to shut down Franciscan's chance at extending their lead. Freshman Allie Dziabo snatched a kill while Crowell added a kill to her stats. The Barons took the fourth set to force a fifth and final set.
After a small lead by Franciscan, the Red Wolves fought their way back into the lead. With Saint Francis down one, Sappia once again set Crowell up for the kill to tie the set at 14. Dziabo nabbed the next kill off a free ball that was sent over. Roman aided Sappia as she finished the game off with one final kill.
Offensively, Crowell led with 15 kills, 15 digs, four assists, and an ace. Roman collected 11 kills, eight digs, six assists, two aces, and an assisted block. Holden was shortly behind with 10 kills, four digs, and 3.5 total blocks.
Defensively, Aleya Talmadge registered 19 digs and two assists. Adrian grabbed 16 digs, six assists, and an ace. Sappia filled the stat sheet with 27 assists, 11 digs, eight kills, and 1.5 totals blocks.
Saint Francis will be back home to play Thiel at 1:00 p.m. this Saturday.
