FAIRFIELD, Conn.  — Sacred Heart University men's volleyball was in NEC action at the Pitt Center Friday night, losing to Saint Francis University 3-0. 


Saint Francis would take a contested first set 25-20. Multiple kills from Patrick Mucherino, Mark Berry and Ife Loverton would keep the Pioneers afloat up until 20-18 before the Red Flash were able to close out the first set. Although the Pioneers had a 25-24 edge in total attacks, the Red Flash would hold the hitting percentage battle .417 to .200 and 12-11 is assists.

The squads would split the first 18 points of the second set before a Mucherino kill and SFU errors would give the Pios a 12-10 lead. The Red Flash would storm back with a 15-6 scoring run to jump ahead two sets to nothing. SHU would record 12 total errors to four by SFU even though the Pios would hold a 26-23 attack attempt advantage and even the kill count at 12.

Saint Francis would win the third set 25-13 after getting out to a very early lead that would be maintained throughout the final set of the night.


Records:
Sacred Heart 7-10 (4-5 NEC)
Saint Francis 10-11 (7-2 NEC)

Top Performers:
Patrick Mucherino 14 kills, 2 blocks, 7 digs, 15.5 points.
Mark Berry 9 kills, 1 block, 5 digs, 9.5 points
Ife Loverton 3 kills, 1 block, 3.5 points
Tyler Kwinta 25 assists, 5 digs

Up Next:
The Pioneers will be back at the Pitt Center Saturday at 7 p.m. as they welcome Fairleigh Dickinson for senior night.