The Fairleigh Dickinson women's volleyball team will look to build on last weekend's results when the Knights travel to Easton, PA to compete in the Lafayette Tournament to match up with Rider, Saint Peter's and Lafayette. 

So far in 2011, the Knights (1-2) are headlined by junior Meaghan Wheeler (Chatsworth, CA/Chaminade College Prep) and seniors Kelsey Semler (Allentown, PA/Allentown Central Catholic), Sarah Willey (Abingdon, MD/Bel Air) and Sarah Berkland (Newton, MA/Newton North). Wheeler's 45 kills helped her earn Beanpot Classic All-Tournament accolades last weekend, as did Semler's 50 digs. Willey has racked up a team-high 61 assists, while Berkland has been a force on defense with five block solos and eight block assists.

On Friday, Sept. 2, the Knights will take on in-state opponent Rider at 3 p.m. for the first of two showdowns between the teams this season. 

Rider began its 2011 campaign with a win over St. Francis NY and a loss to Fordham Friday, Aug. 26, at the SFC Terrier Invitational. Most recently, the Broncs dropped a 3-0 decision to Lehigh at home on Wednesday.

Last time FDU and Rider played each other was in 2007 when the Broncs took a 3-2 win in Lawrenceville, NJ. 

The Knights will renew their rivalry with the Saint Peter's Peahens when they face off Saturday, Sept. 3, at noon.

Last year, FDU won the first match-up with the Peahens by a 3-1 margin. When the two teams met five days later, they flipped the script with Saint Peter's claiming the 3-1 victory on its home floor. 

This season, Saint Peter's got off to a 0-3 start at the La Salle Invitational. The Peahens suffered 3-0 setbacks to Morgan State and the host La Salle on Friday, Aug. 26, before losing 3-1 to Providence the following day. Paige Petersen's 22 kills and Anna Molokotina's 60 assists lead the Peahens' offense after three matches. 

FDU's final match of the tournament will be against the host Lafayette Leopards on Saturday at 5 p.m. The Leopards opened their season in Brooklyn Heights, NY with a 3-2 win over St. Francis NY on Tuesday. Lafayette featured a balanced attack with five players with seven kills or more, led by Karissa Ciliento's 10. Against St. Francis, Sarah Frohnapfel had a match-high 45 assists to set up her teammates who compiled a .224 attack percentage.

The Leopards took down the Knights by a 3-0 final at last year's Lafayette Tournament.

Following the weekend action, the Knights will hit the road for a match at La Salle Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m.