Box Score 1 | Box Score 2
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. --  The Fairleigh Dickinson women's volleyball team began the 2012 season with two tough losses by scores of 3-0 to UC Riverside and 3-1 to Hofstra on Friday at the Hofstra Asics Invitational in Hempstead, N.Y.

Senior outside hitter Meaghan Wheeler (Chatsworth, CA/Chaminade College Prep) led the Knights' offensive attack with 19 kills in the two matches, while freshman Allison Butler (Plano, Texas/Plano) facilitated the offense with 47 assists for Stacey Recanati's club.

The Knights (0-2) started the day against UC Riverside, which was also playing its first game of the season. The Highlanders (1-0) jumped on FDU early and often, winning the first set, 25-10.

In the second set facing an 18-10 deficit, FDU clawed back to make things interesting. The Burgundy and Blue scored six of the next seven points to trim UC Riverside's lead down to 19-16 on an ace by Butler. After alternating points, the Highlanders picked up the final three points of the set on two kills by Ashley Cox and another from Megan Reza to win set two, 25-20.

The Highlanders took control of the third set as the Knights dug themselves an 11-1 hole. Wheeler kept FDU in the match with three of her team-high 10 kills in the set, but UC Riverside was able to pull away for a 25-10 win for the sweep.

In the match, Wheeler picked up a double-double with 10 kills to go along with a team-best 10 digs. On defense, Wheeler and sophomore Hanifa Addi (Springdale, Md./Charles H. Flowers) recorded two block assists apiece.

With a quick turnaround, the Knights were back on the court to face the host team Hofstra (2-0) in the nightcap.

The Pride came away with the 3-1 win with scores of 25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-23. Hofstra claimed a 17-10 lead in the first set and was able to hold on to take an early 1-0 set lead.

The Knights were able to regroup in the second set and took a 7-2 lead thanks to a Wheeler kill and six Hofstra attack errors in the early going. The action seesawed as each took turns with the lead. With the Knights clinging to a 24-23 lead, freshman Jordon Collis (Frisco, TX/Frisco) finished up the set with one of her 12 kills to even the match at one set apiece. Collis also finished with four digs and a block assist in the match.

FDU looked like it was on its way to putting a stranglehold on the match with a 10-5 lead to start the third. The Knights' lead slowly slipped away, however, and the Pride eventually evened the score at 14-14. Hofstra was able to put away 11 of the next 16 points to take a 2-1 lead with a 25-19 win.

In the fourth and final set, Hofstra led from start to finish to win the set, 25-23, and take a 3-1 win.

Wheeler put together another solid match with nine kills and 11 digs, while freshman Maddie Gibbons (Columbus, Ohio/Grandview Heights) was a force at the net with nine kills, five block assists and a solo block. Butler again helped the Knights' offensive efforts with 32 assists.

Hofstra had three players with double-digit kills, including Kelsie Wills, who finished with a match-best 24.
 
The Knights will try to get into the win column tomorrow with a match at 10 a.m. against Providence and 5:30 p.m. against Marist to finish up the Hofstra Asics Invitational.