LORETTO, Pa. – The sixth-seeded Sacred Heart University men's volleyball team returns for the Northeast Conference (NEC) Tournament semifinals for the second straight season on Thursday, facing top-seeded Saint Francis at 7:00 p.m. at DeGol Arena.
 
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THE MATCHUP
The Pioneers and Red Flash met twice this season back in February when the Pioneers hosted the two game weekend series. SHU was edged by the Red Flash 3-1 and 3-0.
 
SCOUTING SFU
SFU finished its regular season 20-8 and 12-0 in NEC play. The Red Flash dominated recently released All-NEC honors. Head coach Mike Rumbaugh was named NEC Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season. Junior Nathan Zini was honored as the NEC Player of the Year, with 373 kills, while leading Division I in service aces with 59. The opposite hitter also recorded seven First Point/NEC honors. Senior Peyton Blain has led the Red Flash with 299 digs and was awarded NEC Defensive Player of the year.
 
TOP PIO PERFORMERS
Patrick Mucherino led the Pioneers this season with a total of 427 kills and is fifth in the nation in kills per set with 4.5. The senior opposite-side hitter was awarded All-NEC First Team honors. Mucherino has also accumulated two First Point/NEC Player of the Week awards. On March 29^th against George Mason, Mucherino recorded his 1,000^th career kill.
 
Carlos Santa Cruz has also played well offensively the season, hitting 0.284 with 288 kills. The Guaynabo, P.R., native has also been essential at the service line, securing 25 aces throughout the season.
 
Teddy Payne has played at setter for the Pioneers, securing 754 assists this season. Payne reached his 1,000^th career assist against Harvard on January 26^th. The Buffalo, N.Y. native recorded his career high in assists on March 15^th against Merrimack with 49 and he has matched that again against Springfield on April 9^th.
 
Bartek Olczyk and Petr Beranek have contributed to the Pioneers as first year players. Beranek as an outside hitter has earned two First Point/NEC Rookie of the Week awards while hitting an average of .218 and tallied 86 kills. Olczyk as libero and defensive specialist has been a key contributor off the bench and as a starter with 71 digs.
 
ABOUT LAST NIGHT
The Pioneers upset the defending NEC Champions and three-seeded LIU in a thrilling four set victory in a NEC Quarterfinal last night to advance to the semifinals. 

Senior opposite hitter Patrick Mucherino led the Pioneers with 22 kills, hitting .429. Carlos Santa Cruz followed him with 12 kills, hitting .308, and secured the game-winning solo block.