Box Score

HACKENSACK,N.J. – The Knights saw the Broncs of Rider go up two sets to nearly face a sweep before making for a thrilling comeback to see the match reach game five. Capped off by one of Alex Lolland (Auburn, Calif./Del Oro)'s game-high 17 kills at match point, the Fairleigh Dickinson women's volleyball team secured an exciting 3-2 home victory on Wednesday, September 23.
 
Rider scored the first five points of the opening set until a kill from junior Caroline Laton (Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon) ended the run, 5-1. The Knights continued to rally back forcing Rider to call for timeout. Out of the break, an assist from sophomore Josephine Gallagher (Aurora, Ill./Rosary) led to another Laton kill that saw the Broncs lead at just two, 12-10. The Broncs would later win the set 25-19.
 
The second set saw the Broncs gain another early control until both Laton and Lolland connected on kills from senior setter Allison Butler (Plano, Texas/Plano) to knot the score 10-10. Midway through, Rider regained control 16-12 up until FDU forced two errors cutting their deficit to just three.  Later in the set with the score in favor of the Broncs, 24-18, the Knights went on to produce four consecutive points but came too late as Rider took the set 25-23.
 
Now down two sets to one, the Knights developed and maintained a third set lead after scoring eight of the first 10 points, 8-2. Rider went on a 5-1 surge of their own to help neutralize the Knights control but FDU's dominance proved too much for them. FDU closed out the set outscoring their opponent 21-13 to avoid a sweep gaining a 25-15 set victory.
 
In the fourth, the Broncs trimmed the Knights lead to just two at the 11-8 mark but that would be the closest they would come. FDU would eventually stretch their lead to nine to win the set 25-16, and force a deciding fifth set.
 
In the final set of the night, FDU never trailed. They tallied a .524 hitting percentage while holding Rider to a .240 clip. With the win, the Knights advance to 5-8 on the season while Rider falls to 7-9.
 
Sophomore Carly O'Sullivan (Bogota, N.J./Bogota) totaled 15 kills on the night to go with 18 digs. Laton led FDU with nine blocks while senior Maddie Gibbons (Columbus, Ohio/Grandview Heights) (5), sophomore Taylor Wyckoff (San Diego, Calif./Clairemont) (4) and Lolland (4) also contributed. Butler recorded 45 assists while senior Corey Lostetter (Jefferson Hills, Pa./Thomas Jefferson) added 18 digs on the night as well.
 
The Fairleigh Dickinson women's volleyball team concludes their brief two-game home stand this Friday, September 25 as they host Delaware State. The match is slated for a 6 p.m. start.