Saint Francis Seeks First NEC Title with Strong Offense and Service Game
The Saint Francis Red Flash head into the 2024 Northeast Conference (NEC) Women’s Volleyball Championship as a formidable contender. Despite finishing third in the standings with a 10-4 conference record, Saint Francis demonstrated their ability to compete with the league’s best by defeating second-seeded FDU 3-1 earlier this season and pushing top-seeded Chicago State in competitive matches. With the tournament title—and their first-ever automatic NCAA Tournament berth—on the line, the Red Flash are primed to make a run.
An Explosive Offensive Trio
Saint Francis boasts one of the strongest offenses in the NEC, anchored by standout performances from junior outside hitter Korrin Burns, senior outside hitter Maggie Hogan, and junior outside hitter Kori McClure. Together, they’ve propelled the Red Flash to elite offensive production.
Korrin Burns leads the NEC in kills per set (4.11) and points per set (4.80). With 329 kills this season, Burns has been a consistent force on the attack. She’s also contributed 37 service aces and 28 blocks, making her a key player on both sides of the ball.
Maggie Hogan has delivered 286 kills this season (3.01 per set), along with 42 service aces and 187 digs. Her versatility as both a scorer and defender has been crucial to the team’s success.
Kori McClure adds another layer of reliability with 206 kills and a .311 hitting percentage, the third-best in the NEC. Her all-around contributions include 120 digs and 36 blocks.
Setting the Stage with Sappia
At the heart of the Red Flash offense is setter Alexandra Sappia. The redshirt sophomore has distributed 778 assists this season, averaging 8.19 assists per set—the second-highest in the NEC. She also leads the conference in service aces per set (0.55) and has totaled 52 aces this season. Her ability to control the tempo and put opponents on their heels with her serving has been a game-changer for Saint Francis.
The Best Serving Team in the League
Saint Francis leads the NEC with 247 service aces, making them the most dangerous serving team in the tournament. Sappia, Burns, Hogan, and Drew Wallech (43 aces) have all excelled in applying pressure from the service line. This dominance has helped Saint Francis stay competitive against the league’s top teams. When the Red Flash get on a run from the line, the complexion of a set can change in- pardon the pun- a flash.
Key Moments in the Regular Season
The Red Flash’s regular season included a signature win over FDU, snapping the Knights’ 13-match winning streak with a decisive 3-1 victory. They also played Chicago State closely in both matches, proving they can challenge the tournament’s top seed. Despite two hard-fought losses to the Cougars late in the season, Saint Francis has shown they are capable of competing with any team in the NEC. Like the rest of the field, there would be no surprise if the Red Flash came out on top.
The Path Forward
Saint Francis will face FDU in the NEC semifinals on Friday, November 22. Their earlier victory over the Knights provides confidence heading into this rematch, but they will need to lean on their multi-headed attack and serving strength to advance. With the potential to face Chicago State in the final, the Red Flash have an opportunity to claim their first NEC title- and a measure of revenge.
Looking for History
Despite being picked first in the preseason poll, Saint Francis has yet to secure an NEC Championship. With their potent offense, strong serving game, and standout players like Burns, Hogan, and Sappia, they have all the tools needed to make history this weekend.
