Box
LORETTO, Pa. -- Visiting Nazareth opened its 2009 men's volleyball season Saturday with a three-set defeat to Division I St. Francis University. The Golden Flyers lost by scores of 30-20, 30-28, 30-27.

Nazareth posted a .021 hitting percentage (30 kills against 28 hitting errors in 95 attempts) and the Red Flash took advantage as they won the first set with relative ease. Nazareth led for a good portion of the second set and were up 27-24 when St. Francis rallied to score six of the last seven points to take the set. Likewise in the third set, the score was tied at 26-26 when the Red Flash scored four of the last five points.

Nazareth freshman Billy Gimello had nine kills while seniors Joe Petzoldt and Kelvin Rolle each had seven. Senior setter Frank Leahy amassed 29 assists and senior Chris DeHority had 14 digs.

Jodan Varee had 15 kills for St. Francis, also playing its season opener. Peter Freyer added 11 kills and Shane Conley posted 38 assists.

Nazareth plays its first home match Jan. 20 against SUNYIT at 7 p.m.