HACKENSACK, N.J. - The FDU women's volleyball team begins their 2021 campaign at the Rothman Center this weekend as they host the FDU Tournament presented by Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Paramus. 
 
The Knights will welcome Manhattan, Maryland Eastern Shore and Robert Morris for the two-day tournament.
 
Schedule
Friday, August 27 - 6 p.m. (EST)
FDU vs. Manhattan
Watch on NEC Front Row | Live Stats
 
Saturday, August 28 - 12:30 p.m. (EST)
FDU vs. Maryland Eastern Shore
Watch on NEC Front Row | Live Stats
 
Saturday, August 28 - 5:30 p.m. (EST)
FDU vs. Robert Morris
Watch on NEC Front Row | Live Stats
 
Knights Outlook
The Knights were selected fifth in the NEC's Preseason Coaches Poll, announced on August 12. The team will feature several new faces this season, including Interim Head Coach Karl France. The nine-person incoming class will bolster a team of 18 student-athletes. 
 
Nine returners will be back in burgundy and blue following a condensed season last spring. The Knight's top returning hitters include graduate student Magdalena Maksimovic and sophomore Madisyn Beirne, both who averaged over 2.45 kills per set last season. Graduate student Allison Koester (4.26 D/S) is joined by classmates Brooke Stevens (0.82 B/S) and Tessa Fisk (0.70 B/S) as the leading returners on defense this season. 
 
Scouting Manhattan
The Knights have won the last three meetings against the Jaspers, as the two schools will go head-to-head for the fifteenth time on Friday. The Jaspers begin the season in Hackensack under fifth-year Head Coach Lora Egbert following a 4-7 record last spring. 
 
Scouting Maryland Eastern Shore
With a 1-1 historic record, the Knights will face the Maryland Eastern Shore Hawks for the first time since 2007. After forgoing the 2020 season, the Hawks are led by fourth-season Head Coach Trevor Callarman. Senior Mauri Carver fuels the Hawks on defense, clipping 0.91 blocks per set and recording the most blocks in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in 2019. On offense, Senior Alexis Lee leads the way averaging 2.17 kills per set.
 
Scouting Robert Morris
The Knights will take on Robert Morris on Saturday for the first time since the Colonial's departed from the NEC in 2020. In their first season as a member of the Horizon League last spring, the Colonials posted a 4-12 mark. Entering his 12th season, Robert Morris is led by Dale Starr, 2019 NEC Coach of the Year.    
 
From Coach France
"This tournament provides our ladies with an opportunity to start the season on a great note," France said. "We worked hard this preseason to improve our play and learn new systems. I'm very excited for the 2021 season and to see how our Knights rise to the occasion."
 
What's Next
Following the FDU Tournament, the Knights will travel to Durham, N.H. to compete in the Holly Young Invitational. Set to compete in the three-day event is host school New Hampshire, Providence and Siena.

Follow the Knights on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWVB.