HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson volleyball team travels to Lewisburg, Pennsylvania this weekend to compete in Bucknell's Bison Invitational on Friday and Saturday.
THE SCHEDULE
Friday, September 20
3:30 p.m. - FDU vs. Delaware State (3-8)
Saturday, September 21
12:30 p.m. – FDU at Bucknell (8-1)
3:00 p.m. - FDU vs. Hampton (2-4)
LIVE COVERAGE
Live Stats (all matches)
ALL-TIME SERIES
FDU vs. Delaware State (5-4)
FDU vs. Bucknell (2-7)
FDU vs. Hampton (4-0)
KNIGHTS NOTES
The Knights (0-10) are seeking their first win of the season when they take on the field at the Bison Invitational this weekend. The team last competed at this event in 2016 and dropped three matches.
This year, the Burgundy and Blue face a few familiar foes including Delaware State, who they defeated in five sets last season at Lafayette. In the win over Delaware State,
Jessica Throckmorton finished with 12 kills and
Corina Beimers totaled 34 assists.
The Knights are coming off a difficult weekend at the Friar Classic in Providence in which they failed to take a set in their three matches. Despite the losses, there were several bright spots including sophomore
Sophia Spiridonakos, who earned All-Tournament Team honors. Now in her second season with the Knights, Spiridonakos has become a key contributor with a team-high 21 total blocks and seven service aces. Through 35 sets played, the Sewickley, Pennsylvania native has eclipsed her season block total of 16 from her freshman campaign.
Offensively, freshman
Mujay Mambu continues to lead the FDU attack. Mambu recorded 11 kills against Providence last weekend and has two All-Tournament awards to her credit this season. The Chantilly, Virginia product is averaging 2.49 kills per set, while junior outside
Magdalena Maksimovic ranks second on the team with 2.38 kills per set.
SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Delaware State is 3-8 on the season, including a victory against the Northeast Conference's newest team, Merrimack. The other two victories for DSU came via a 3-1 win over Texas Southern and a five-set triumph against Siena. Last weekend, the team won two out of three matches at the Lafayette Invitational. Freshman Ryanne Burnett was named MEAC Rookie of the Week after the team went 2-2 last week. Burnett including a 2-1 mark in the Lafayette Classic last week. She recorded a double-double with 17 kills and 11 digs against Siena, hitting .341 in the match. The Knights have won the last three meetings with the Hornets including a 3-2 win last season at Lafayette.
SCOUTING THE BISON
The Bison enter their second home Invitational of the season red hot, having won seven straight matches including a sweep at last weekend's CCSU Invitational. The team defeated Northeast Conference team Central Connecticut 3-2 and topped Rhode Island 3-0 and Saint Peter's 3-1 at the event. The senior class has led the way for the Bison and senior Brooke Stark was named Tournament MVP at CCSU. Fellow senior Sophie Bullard currently leads the team in kills (98) and digs (126), and has had a double-double in three of the last five matches. The third senior providing major contributions for Bucknell is middle hitter Mimi Richards. Richards has 94 kills to her credit to go along with a team-best 2.94 attack percentage.
SCOUTING THE PIRATES
Hampton is 4-4 this season, with one of those wins coming against St. Francis Brooklyn at the Bucknell Invitational earlier in the season. Following Hampton's trip to Lewisburg, middle blocker Genevieve Reynolds was named the Big South Conference Freshman of the Week. Last time out, the Pirates competed at the Maryland Eastern Shore Invitational and 1-2 earning a win over host UMES but suffering losses to FDU's NEC foe Robert Morris and Rider. Sophomore Gabby Calloway tops the team's offensive leaderboard with three kills per set across the team's eight matches. The Knights are unbeaten in four meetings against the Pirates including a 3-0 sweep back in 2015.
NEXT UP
The Knights open NEC action next Friday, September 27 against Bryant at 6:00 p.m. at the Rothman Center.
