HACKENSACK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson volleyball team opens Northeast Conference action this weekend with a home match on Friday against Bryant and a road test on Saturday at Central Connecticut State.
THE SCHEDULE
Friday, September 27
6:00 p.m. - FDU vs. Bryant (5-11)
Rothman Center | Hackensack, N.J.
Live Video |
Stats
Saturday, September 28
5:00 p.m. – FDU at Central Connecticut (4-8)
Detrick Gymnasium | New Britain, Conn.
Live Video |
Stats
ALL-TIME SERIES
FDU vs. Bryant (8-17)
FDU vs. CCSU (5-34)
KNIGHTS NOTES
The Knights (0-13) are looking to break into the win column this week when they begin NEC action against the Bulldogs and Blue Devils. Last weekend, the Burgundy and Blue dropped three matches at the Bison Invitational, including a 3-0 defeat to Hampton in their final contest of the Invitational.
Freshman outside hitter
Mujay Mambu continues to lead the charge with a team-best 2.51 kills per set average this season. Mambu added to her double-digit kill total last weekend by registering 12 putaways against Delaware State and 10 against Bucknell. The Chantilly, Virginia native has now logged double-digit kills six times through the team's first 13 matches.
Sophomore libero
Jaelyn Young has been the focal point of the FDU defense for the second straight season. Young's defensive prowess has led to the fifth-highest dig total in the NEC. The second-year libero is averaging 3.64 digs per set on the season to go along with a .895 reception rate.
The Knights have also found success from the serving line in 2019 with a 1.66 aces per set average, which is nearly double last season's rate of 0.91. Sophomore outside hitter
Jessica Throckmorton is at the forefront of the effort with 15 aces this season – sixth-most in the league.
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK
Throughout the week, the FDU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee has been spreading awareness around mental health as part of the NEC's conference-wide initiative. On Friday, the Knights will wear lime green bows in honor of the campaign. In addition, SAAC has created a
#FDUKnighted with Mental Health Awareness banner that all fans are invited to sign at the event. Follow @FDUKnightsSAAC on Instagram for more information.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs have dropped their last six matches including a mid-week, non-conference tilt to Hartford (3-0) this past Tuesday. Underclassmen have set the pace for the Bulldogs in 2019. Freshman Riley James leads the team with 2.42 kills per set, while sophomore Caroline Kennedy McGovern's 2.33 k/set ranks season. In addition, freshman Emma McGovern has two Molten/NEC Rookie of the Week honors to her credit this season and is third on the team with 1.93 kills per set. The Bulldogs continue NEC action on Saturday when they travel across the Hudson River to face St. Francis Brooklyn.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS
The Blue Devils dropped to 4-8 on the season by falling in four sets to Hartford in their last outing. The team posted a 1-3 mark at last weekend's Hartford Invitational with their lone win coming against UMES in four frames. Junior Ashlyn Eisenga was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week this week after averaging 5.25 digs/set in three matches for the Blue Devils. Eisenga enters the weekend ranked second in the conference with 4.61 digs per contest. Offensively, junior Emma Henderson leads the way and ranks third on the NEC with a 3.23 kills per set average. Henderson has logged double-digit kills in half of the team's matches this season.
NEXT UP
The Knights visit Manhattan (2-10) for a non-conference tilt this Tuesday, October 1. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. at Draddy Gymnasium.
