The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's volleyball team split a tandem of games ? and dropped an exhibition match ? at the Bucknell University Invitational, Saturday, Sept. 13.  The Knights (7-5) downed Saint Francis University (PA), 3-1, on a neutral court, followed by a 3-1 loss against the Bison.

Senior middle blocker Lauren Boothby (/Voorhees) hammered a match-high 19 kills (.351 attack percentage) to pace FDU, en route to being named the the All-Tournament Team.

Fairleigh Dickinson dropped the first set, 25-23, to the Red Flash (3-8), but rallied to take three-consecutive games, 25-16, 28-26, and 25-20.

Senior outside hitter Megan Philbrick (/Elizabeth Seton) helped shoulder the offensive load with a .429 attack percentage (10 kills), in addition to recording five service aces.  Meanwhile, Boothby contributed eight digs and two aces.

Senior setter Karolina Kowalski (/North Arlington) finished one kill shy of a triple-double, going for 23 assists, 10 digs and nine kills.  Freshman counterpart Sarah Willey (Abingdon, MD/Bel Air) notched 18 assists.

Freshman libero Kelsey Semler (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) tallied 10 digs, with junior outside hitter Ali Philbrick (/Elizabeth Seton) contributing seven kills.

The Knights faced the University of Montreal in a mid-day exhibition, and lost 3-0 (25-16, 25-11, 25-19).

Megan Philbrick (/Elizabeth Seton) accrued nine kills, with Boothby going for six kills.  Kowalski finished with 15 assists, while Ali Philbrick (/Elizabeth Seton) had eight digs.

The contest versus the Carabins does not factor into cumulative statistics or overall record.

Versus Bucknell (3-7), Head Coach Stacey Recanati's squad grabbed a quick advantage on the strength of a 25-19 win in the initial set.  However, Bucknell bounced back for three-straight wins, 26-24, 25-22, and 15-19.

Boothby led the Knights with 21 kills, flanked by Megan Philbrick (/Elizabeth Seton)'s 10 kills.  Senior libero/outside hitter Jennifer Brugger (/Centreville) added seven kills.

Kowalski racked up 29 assists and nine digs, while Semler registered six digs and three service aces.  Willey posted 17 assists, with Ali Philbrick (/Elizabeth Seton) collecting nine digs.

Fairleigh Dickinson makes its 2008 home debut at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 17 versus LaSalle University.