FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairleigh Dickinson volleyball team fell in straight sets to Sacred Heart (25-23, 25-16, 25-21) on Friday night at the Pitt Center.
 
Freshman Sophia Spiridonakos topped the Knights' box score with a career-high five kills, while sophomore setter McKenna Setterlund totaled 12 digs and seven assists in the contest.
 
Despite the loss, the Knights out-blocked the Pioneers 10-4 in the contest with Spiridonakos and Abigail Strebig amassing six each. The six blocks are also a career-best for Spiridonakos.
 
Liisel Nelis and Julia Murawinski tallied nine kills apiece to lead the way for the Pioneers, (13-8, 6-4 NEC) who currently hold the fourth and final NEC Tournament spot.
 
The Knights led 4-3 in the first set before a pair of kills by Alix Polk helped the home team score five straight to take a lead.
 
Facing set point, a late rally saw the Knights cut a 24-18 deficit down to one aided by an ace from freshman Corina Beimers and a kill from Strebig, however, the Pioneers banked the point they needed to finish the two-point win.
 
The second set was closely contested early on before an 11-3 burst by the Pioneers broke things open. Leading 17-8, the Pioneers maintained a minimum nine-point advantage en route to the 2-0 match lead.
 
In the final frame, a kill by Spiridonakos netted the Knights' 10^th point and brought the team to within two before the Pioneers pulled away. Four consecutive miscues by the Knights provided the home team some breathing room and a 16-10 lead.
 
Down by five late in the set, the Knights refused to go quietly and scored four straight to pull within two, 22-20. The Pioneers would recover and net three of the final four points, including the match-clinching point on a service ace by Rianaa McNamee.
 
The loss caps a four-game road trip for the Knights, who return home for their next three matches beginning this Wednesday, October 31 when Coppin State visits at 5:00 p.m.