The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's volleyball team earned a tandem of victories versus La Salle University and Canisius College, Friday Aug. 28 in Philadelphia, PA. The Knights (2-0) out-lasted their hosts, 3-2, then defeated the Golden Griffins, 3-1, on the neutral court.
FDU took the first two sets against the Explorers, 25-16 and 25-20, before La Salle (0-1) bounced back to edge Head Coach Stacey Recanati's squad, 25-23, in the third game. Following a 25-11 setback, Fairleigh Dickinson was fueled by a .438 team hitting percentage in the deciding game and ultimately closed out the Explorers, 15-7.
A pair of freshmen led the way offensively for the squad. Freshman outside hitter Meaghan Wheeler capitalized for a match-high 20 kills on 48 opportunities. Counterpart Violeta Slabakova ripped 10 kills. Wheeler added eight digs and two service aces.
Sophomore setter Sarah Willey distributed 36 assists and eight digs, with classmate Kelsey Semler, a setter, compiling 18 digs. Senior outside hitter Ali Philbrick chipped-in 16 digs, with junior defensive specialist Amanda Alayon notching also eight digs.
Red-shirt sophomore Sarah Berkland registered a team-leading .462 attack efficiency (seven kills), while tallying 3.5 blocks.
In their second action of the day, the Knights opened sharp, topping Canisius, 25-19 and 26-24. The Golden Griffins (0-1) responded with a 25-16 decision in game No. 3, when Fairleigh Dickinson sealed their unblemished afternoon with a 25-21 count.
Wheeler's first career double-double of 14 kills and 20 digs were complemented by eight-kill efforts courtesy of both Berkland and Philbrick. Meanwhile, Semler went for 21 digs and three aces, with Willey once again accruing 36 assists.
Alayon provided a career-high 12 digs and Philbrick went for 14 digs. Freshman outside hitter Lawryn Fowler finished with five kills. Slabakova recorded five kills and four service aces.
Fairleigh Dickinson completes the La Salle Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 29 with two additional matches. The Knights play back-to-back contests at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Up first is the United States Air Force Academy, followed by Cleveland State University.
