MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. - Robert Morris staged a comeback to defeat Saint Francis 3-2 (20-25, 25-21, 21-25, 25-14, 15-8) on Friday night in Day 1 of the Four Twelve Project Volleyball Invitational at the UPMC Events Center. After dropping the first and third sets, Robert Morris dominated the final two sets to secure the victory.

Saint Francis came out strong, establishing an early lead. Despite a late push from the Colonials, the Red Flash were able to close out the set, taking a 1-0 lead in the match. The Colonials regrouped and battled back in a tightly contested second set. The score remained close, with both teams trading points. However, a 13-4 run by RMU late in the set, put them ahead 17-15 and they maintained the lead the rest of the set. Kaitlyn Brown's ace closed out the set at 25-21. 

The third set mirrored the second, as it went back-and-forth. With the RMU leading 19-18, the Red Flash won seven of the next nine points to take the set 25-21. Robert Morris responded with their most dominant performance of the night in the fourth set. They jumped out to an early 8-4 lead and never looked back, controlling the set from start to finish and forcing a decisive fifth set with a commanding 11-point victory.

Carrying the momentum from their fourth set victory, the Colonials controlled the final set. They established an early lead and thwarted any attempt at a comeback by Saint Francis. A kill from Addyson Butts sealed the 15-8 victory, completing the comeback and securing the thrilling 3-2 match win.

Jocelyn Jourdan led RMU with 13 kills followed by Tia Schultz with a season-high 12. Brown registered a season-best 38 assists and Jasmine Purakal a match-high 18 digs. Butts finished with a career-high five aces and six kills.

RMU (3-7) remains at the UPMC Events Center for a Saturday matchup against Buffalo (3-5) in the second day of the Four Twelve Project Volleyball Invitational. Serve is set for 5 p.m.

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