FAIRFIELD, CONN.- #3 FDU women's volleyball (16-15, 9-5) advanced to the Championship game of the NEC Tournament on Friday, defeating #2 Saint Francis U in four sets (25-23,25-23, 25-23, 25-11). In a total team effort, the Burgundy and Blue overcame multiple deficits throughout the match to come away victorious.

• Tatijana Fucka led the Knights with eight kills followed by Giorgia Vaschetti and Sophia Rampazzo with seven each. 
• Megan Bushnell had three of FDU's eight aces. 
• Allegra Rivas was unstoppable with 19 digs. 
• FDU hit .250 over SFU's .131 and out-blocked the Red Flash 9-5.

set 1

•  FDU trailed behind three points throughout until a kill from MacKenzy Ruggiero and a double block from Fucka and Sophia Spiridonakos tied it at 19. SFU tied it three more times but a Red Flash service error and a first ball Block from Tessa Fisk and Ruggiero sealed the deal on set one for the Knights 25-23. 
• Fucka led the Knights with five kills. 

Set 2

• SFU opened the set with a 9-2 lead. FDU clawed away at that gap two points at a time. Down 24-23, head coach David Nguyen called a timeout before SFU came out with a kill to end the set 25-23.
• Bushnell had had several aces in the set to stay within striking distance.

Set 3

• FDU forced an early timeout with Hannah Schmidt at the service line and a 4-0 lead. SFU tied it at five and played a close set until 12-12 when SFU gained a two-point lead. FDU tied it again at 20 and kills from Ruggiero and Rampazzo ended it 25-23. 
• Rampazzo had four kills in crucial moments with Kylie Nott adding two aces. 

Set 4

• The Knights started strong with a 12-3 lead and added to that to that to close out the match 25-11. 
• Giorgia Vaschetti had five of the Knights 11 kills.
• FDU sided-out 100% in the set eliminating any chance of a Red Flash comeback. 
• The Knights finished set four hitting .400 as a team over SFU's -.100. 

"This team surprises me everytime," Nguyen said. "We knew it was going to be a battle. Our ladies are so strong and continue to fight through it all. We look forward to the challenge tomorrow."

"I think it was a full team win and I can't imagine anything better that this." Fucka said. "i think we are a team that fights and never let's go it was amazing I can't even describe it."

FDU will take on the winner of the second semifinal between #1 SHU and #4 LIU in the championship match on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Tickets to the matches will be $10 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors. Students from NEC school will get in for free with their student ID's. Tickets are available online at Ticketmaster.com or at the door. 

Watch all the action live on ESPN3 and NEC Front Row. 

Connect with the Knights on Twitter and Instagram, @FDUKnightsWVB.