FAIRFIELD, C.T.- FDU snapped a nine-match skid with a five-set victory over Sacred Heart on Saturday night. The win moved the Knights' NEC record to 2-8 and keeps their playoff hopes alive.

Sacred Heart rode the emotional high of their senior night ceremony to a strong start in the first set. Before FDU even had a chance to huddle, the Pioneers were up 15-7. After the media timeout, the Knights found some momentum of their own with a 5-1 run that cut the lead to four. However, this was as close at the Knights would get with Sacred Heart closing out the set 25-21. It was consistent service pressure from Sacred Heart that gave the Knights trouble. FDU's passing failed to put their setter and attackers in good positions as they totaled just nine kills in the set.

The second set got off to a significantly better start for the Knights. In a frame where they hit at a stellar .563 clip, FDU jumped out to a 6-2 lead. Sacred Heart made multiple pushes to try to get back into the set but FDU withstood every single run. Thanks to four aces and 11 kills, the Knights took set two 25-19.

The Knights again led early in set three but a 3-0 run right before the media timeout gave the Pioneers the 15-14 edge. FDU responded out of the break with an 8-4 run to grab a commanding 18-14 lead. FDU had 3 blocks in the set, which they won 25-21.

FDU opened up a 15-11 lead in the fourth trying to put the match away early. However, Sacred Heart did not go away easily and responded with a 5-1 run, tying the set at 16. It would be all Sacred Heart from there as they forced the match into a fifth set with a 25-21 win.

In tune with the rest of the match, the fifth set was tight. Neither team led by more than two at any point. After grabbing a 14-12 lead, FDU squandered three match points. Finally, with the score standing at 16-15, the Knights won the next point, which sealed the match and ended the nine-match losing streak.

Ethan Young set a season-high with 14 kills and had one of his best performances as a Knight. Jamal Ellis Carballo had a record-setting night as he broke the program's single-game kills record with 26. FDU also had their strongest night of the season defending at the net, setting a season-high with 24 blocks. 
 

What's Next

FDU finally returns home next weekend after a month on the road. They'll take on LIU at Stratis Arena at 5pm on Friday night. Stream the match on NEC Front Row.