HACKENSACK, N.J. -- Coming off its opening weekend tournament at Hofstra, the Fairleigh Dickinson women's volleyball team will make the hour and a half trek down to Lawrenceville, N.J. to take on Rider in nonconference action on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. at Alumni Gymnasium.

The Knights (1-3) will look to continue their strong play against the Broncs (2-2), a team FDU beat twice last season.

In their first action of the 2012 campaign, FDU fell to UC Riverside, 3-0, and Hofstra, 3-1, in the first day at the Hofstra Asics Invitational on Aug. 24. The Knights were able to bounce back with a ­split on the second day by beating Providence, 3-2, and wrapping up with a 3-0 loss at the hands of Marist.

Senior captain Meaghan Wheeler (Chatsworth, CA/Chaminade College Prep) earned all-tournament recognition for her play at outside hitter. Wheeler amassed 54 kills and 50 digs in four matches and picked up double-doubles against UC Riverside and Providence.

The Knights' first win of the season came on Saturday against Providence in dramatic come-from-behind fashion. Down 2-0, FDU rallied to win the final three sets for a 3-2 victory. Wheeler led the way with 23 kills, while freshmen Jordon Collis (Frisco, TX/Frisco) and Maddie Gibbons (Columbus, Ohio/Grandview Heights) had double-digit kills with 14 and 10 apiece.

Dating back to 2005, FDU holds a 4-1 record against Rider. The Broncs only win over that stretch came in 2007 in Lawrenceville.  

Rider began the season 2-0 with wins over St. Francis NY and Howard. Since then, the Broncs have lost two straight, falling to Lafayette and Lehigh on the road. Through four matches, Rider has three players with at least 30 kills, led by Jaclyn Webber's 36.

Following the Rider match, FDU will compete in the Lafayette Tournament in Easton, Pa. against Saint Peter's on Friday, Aug. 31, at 3 p.m. before taking on Delaware State and Lafayette the following day.