HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson volleyball team returns to the road this weekend to compete in the Friar Classic hosted by Providence College. The two-day Classic begins on Friday night as the Burgundy and Blue take on the host Friars.

THE SCHEDULE
Friday, September 13
5:00 p.m. - FDU vs. Providence (3-4)
Saturday, September 14
11:00 a.m. – Brown (3-1) vs. FDU
3:30 p.m. - FDU vs. Coppin State (2-4)

LIVE COVERAGE
Watch: Friars.com (vs. Providence)
Stats: Live Stats (all matches)
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
FDU vs. Providence (6-7)
FDU vs. Brown (0-4)
FDU vs. Coppin State (3-2)

KNIGHTS NOTES
The Knights are looking to break into the win column this weekend at the Friar Classic. The Burgundy and Blue dropped their last outing 3-1 (15-25, 25-11, 25-13, 25-16) to Lafayette on Wednesday night at the Rothman Center. In the loss to the Leopards, junior outside hitter Magdalena Maksimovic paced the Knights with six kills, while junior setter McKenna Setterlund amassed a double-double with 22 assists and 11 digs.
 
Last season, the Knights dropped all three matches at the Friar Classic, falling to host Providence (3-0) as well as Brown (3-1) and UMass Lowell (3-2).
 
Maksimovic and freshman Mujay Mambu are tied for the team-lead with 60 kills apiece, while Setterlund leads the Knights with 163 assists. The Serbia native Maksimovic has recorded five or more kills in all seven matches this season, while Mambu has tallied double-digit kills three times including a career-best 18 kills in the Knights' five-set loss to NJIT. Defensively, sophomore libero Jaelyn Young leads the backline and has tallied 83 digs through 26 sets this season, resulting in a 3.19 d/set average. Sophomore middle hitter Sophia Spiridonakos sits atop the Knights' leaderboard in blocks averaging 0.62 blk/set, which is nearly one-third more than her freshman year output.
 
The Knights have announced the addition of Zahraa Muhammad to the team. Muhammad played for Union High School prior to her arrival on the Hackensack and is eligible to make her debut for the team this weekend in Providence.
 
SCOUTING THE FRIARS
The host Friars enter their tournament with a 3-4 overall record. In their last outing, Providence lost 3-1 to FDU's NEC foe, Bryant. Junior Allison Barber leads the Friars with 201 assists and ranks second on the team with 71 digs. On the attack, freshman outside hitter Jennifer Leitman paces the team with 85 kills on 245 total attacks (3.40 kills per set).

SCOUTING THE EAGLES
Coppin State arrives in Providence with a 2-4 record including victories over Siena and Binghamton. The Eagles, who were picked to finish fourth in the Northern Division of the MEAC, swept the Knights 3-0 when the teams met last season in Hackensack. Miajavon Coleman, who was a Preseason All-MEAC selection, has spearheaded the team's attack this season. The sophomore leads the Eagles with 85 kills and is averaging 4.05 kills per set. Reigning MEAC Defensive Specialist of the Week Ashley Roman leads the Eagles' backrow with 90 digs on the campaign.
 
SCOUTING THE BEARS
Brown enters the weekend with a 3-1 mark. The Bears have logged wins over Holy Cross, North Dakota and Seattle this season with their one loss coming against New Hampshire. The Bears topped the Knights in four sets last season at the Friar Classic (25-19, 21-25, 25-9, 25-20). Senior Makena Ehlert leads the Bears with 61 kills (3.39 k/set) and ranks second on the squad with 48 digs. Sophomore setter Kristin Sellers runs the offense and has dished out a team-high 95 assists.

NEXT UP
The Knights travel to Lewisburg, Pa. to compete in the Bucknell Invitational next weekend September 20-21. First up is a tilt with Delaware State on Friday night before the Burgundy and Blue square off with Bucknell and Hampton on Saturday.