The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's volleyball team (0-2) opened up its 2010 campaign with a pair of losses at the Army Tournament on Friday in West Point, NY. In the first game, the Knights were defeated by the hosts, 3-0 before falling to Iona, 3-1.
In the match versus Army, the Knights suffered a tough first-game loss, 25-23. The Black Knights then took the next two games by scores of 25-17 and 25-21.
Sophomore Meaghan Wheeler (Chatsworth, CA/Chaminade College Prep) led the squad as she recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs. Junior Sarah Willey (Abingdon, MD/Bel Air) tallied 30 assists, while fellow classmate Kelsey Semler (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) had 14 digs on defense. Semler also added the squad's only service ace. Sophomore Lawryn Fowler (Gaithersburg, MD/Our Lady of Good Counsel) led the Knights with two block-assists.
Versus Iona, the Knights dropped the first two sets to the Gaels by scores of 25-20 and 25-19 before rallying to win game three, 25-22. However, the Knights were unable to carry the momentum in the fourth game as Iona was able to hang on to a 25-22 victory to clinch the match.
Willey registered a double-double with 34 assists and 15 digs out of the setter position. Semler tied a career high with 31 digs. Wheeler led the Knights with 14 kills, and senior Sarah Berkland (Newton, MA/Newton North) added 11 kills. Berkland also led the squad with five block-assists. Fellow classmate Erin Roudebush (Westfield, NJ/Westfield) chipped in seven kills and three block-assists. Wheeler, senior Amanda Alayon (West Haverstraw, NY/North Rockland) and Semler each had two service aces apiece, while Willey recorded her first service ace of the season.
The Knights complete the Army Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 28, with two additional matches. FDU plays its first match at 10:00 a.m. versus St. John's before playing New Hampshire at 3:00 p.m.
