ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Aug. 30, 2006) – The Saint Francis women’s volleyball team found revenge from its last two season openers by rebounding from an early deficit to defeat the U.S. Naval Academy 3-1 in both teams’ season openers on Wednesday night at Macdonough Hall.

Senior Anne Roosevelt (Plymouth, Mich. / Mercy) posted a match-high 22 kills, two shy of her career high, along with 11 digs and three service aces, while hitting .395 for the match. She extended her school record in service aces to 157 during the rally scoring era, and is 20 aces away from the all-time school mark, including the serve and volley scoring era.

The Red Flash had dropped their last two season openers, both against Navy. They won their season opener for just the second time since 1996, and for just the sixth time in the program’s 23-year history.

Sophomore Kristin Buter (Bowie, Md. / Bowie) pitched in with 11 kills and 8 digs, sophomore libero Lauren Parisi (East Amherst, N.Y. / Williamsville North) had 11 digs and three aces, and sophomore Keshia Gibbs (Dumfries, Va. / Forest Park) had eight kills and hit .389 for the match. Sophomore setter Missi Vaughn (Altoona, Pa. / Altoona) had 47 assists and 3 aces.

Navy took Game 1 30-28, but sophomore Sarah Dougherty (Derwood, Md. / Magruder) helped turn the match around when she entered Game 2 with an 11-11 tie. She reeled off a six-point service run to give her teammates a 17-11 lead, and the Red Flash never looked back.

Saint Francis (1-0) will be tested this weekend when it travels to the Duquesne Invitational. The Red Flash will battle host Duquesne (11 a.m.) and Indiana State (3 p.m.) on Friday, before taking on IPFW (3:30 p.m.) and Robert Morris (7:30 p.m.) on Saturday. Saint Francis will hold its home opener next Tuesday when West Virginia comes to DeGol Arena for a 7 p.m. contest.