The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's volleyball team picked up its first victory of the season Wednesday night as they defeated intra-state rival, NJIT, 3-1, at Stratis Arena in the Rothman Center. With the victory, the Knights improve to 1-4 on the young season, while the Highlanders fall to 1-2 overall.
The Knights took control of the match early on as they took care of business in game one, winning 25-17. NJIT extended its lead about halfway through in game two before the Knights rallied to cut the deficit to one. However, the Highlanders were able to hold on for the 25-23 win. In game three, the Knights cruised to a 25-15 victory before holding on in game four to clinch the match, 25-22.
Sophomore Violeta Slabakova (Shelby Township, Mich./Utica) (Shelby Township, MI) put together her best match of the young season. She recorded a career-high five service aces to go along with 13 kills, eight digs and three block assists. She also had a .357 attack percentage.
Fellow classmate Meaghan Wheeler (Chatsworth, CA/Chaminade College Prep) (Chatsworth, CA) recorded her second double-double of the season as she had a game-high 19 kills and 16 digs. She also had one service ace.
Senior Sarah Berkland (Newton, MA/Newton North) (Newton, MA) led the Knights with a .474 attack percentage and also was in double-figures in kills with 11. She also had four block-assists to tie for the team lead and one solo block
Dishing out a season-high 45 assists, junior Sarah Willey (Abingdon, MD/Bel Air) (Abingdon, MD) was responsible for most of the 53 kills put away by the Knights. She also had four block-assists on defense.
Leading the team in digs was junior Kelsey Semler (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic) (Allentown, PA) with 18. She also had one service ace.
Senior Amanda Alayon (West Haverstraw, NY/North Rockland) (West Haverstraw, NY) added nine digs on defense.
The Knights had a season-high .221 attack percentage and 11 service aces.
Fairleigh Dickinson returns to action this Friday, Sept. 3, as they travel to Easton, PA to participate in the Lafayette Tournament. The Knights take on Saint Peter's Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. before taking on Lafayette and Princeton on Saturday.
