Unstoppable Red Flash

By Broadside Correspondent Fernanda Ferreira

Mason (6-4, 2-2) was downed by the Saint Francis University Red Flash (8-8, 4-3) last Friday in four sets (24-30, 30-19, 29-31, 29-31). The Patriots were not able to stop Red Flash’s offense, led by junior outside hitter Jordan Varee’s 18 kills.

St. Francis jumped out early with senior setter Shane Conley controlling the pace of the game. The Patriots were not able to stop the Red Flash’s quick offense. The team struggled to pass in the first set, making it harder for sophomore setter Brandon Joyner to play as fast as St. Francis. When Mason found consistency in serving and passing, the team was able to block better and make better choices on offense. The Patriots stepped up their game with a kill by senior opposite hitter Kyle Gramit. But St. Francis had control over the starting set, wrapping up the first game with a kill by Varee.

After the first set loss, the Patriots responded strongly. St. Francis held the same playing level, but Mason was able to read Conley’s sets and get better block touches. The game was close, but with two kills in a row by junior libero Luke Maloney, the Patriots took the lead in the second set. As Maloney held the Patriots offense strongly, Gramit kept his serve consistent and tough. Gramit’s serving sequence was crucial to open up a comfortable advantage for the Patriots of seven points. Junior outside hitter Ben Nichols led Patriots offense with 19 kills as the team took the second set after a net touch by the Red Flash.

In the third set, the teams battled back-and-forth. After an impressive dig by Joyner, the Patriots took a 13-12 lead with a kill by senior middle blocker Brandon McLaughlin. After an ace by Gramit followed by a missed serve, the Red Flash was able to side out as they held a 25-21 advantage. The Red Flash held on to win the third set 31-29.

The Patriots started playing behind in the beginning of the last set. They committed 12 hitting errors just in the fourth set. After a sequence of two blocks in a row, by Joyner, Maloney and McLaughlin, the Patriots tied the game at 16-all. After three errors by the Patriots, the Red Flash took a 24-20 lead. Mason came back after some good digs by sophomore libero Eric Lucas, but St. Francis was able to overcome the Patriots and wrap up the match 31-29.

Head coach Fred Chao pointed out that the Red Flash was able to “control their first touch better” whether it came from serves or swings by the Patriots. He also commented on how St. Francis’ offense was diverse, making it harder for the Patriots to stop the opponent.

“We need to be mentally tough,” said middle blocker Erik Lanham. “Being able to be consistent and remain focused made the difference in winning or losing those last matches.”

McLaughlin tied the single-game total blocks record with 14, but that was not enough for the Patriots, who lost three of their last four matches. The senior middle blocker recorded two blocks and 12 block assists. The previous record holder was Mason’s Matt Steinfurth, who set the record three years ago. McLaughlin’s previous high was 11 blocks against IPFW last season.