HACKENSACK, N.J. - A thrilling five-set match took place at the Bogota Savings Bank Center on Friday night as FDU (6-10, 0-3) fell to No. 15 Princeton (9-9, 2-3 EIVA). There were many positive moments including the return of sophomore middle blocker
Naveen Fernando who competed for the first time since suffering a knee injury one year ago. Fernando led the defensive effort with five blocks.
Ethan Young paced the offense for the home side with 18 kills, his highest total as a Knight.
Set 1:
- Princeton opened the set with the first run of the match to extend their lead to 11-7 and stayed comfortably in front to win it 25-18
- The Tigers hit .458 to just .200 for FDU
Set 2:
- It was FDU's turn to start strong with a 7-4 advantage
- A dominant effort in the set, especially on the offensive end allowed FDU to control the set.
- Young produced six kills in the frame and several blocks by Fernando and a triple block in the final stages propelled FDU to take the set 25-19
- Princeton hit a match-low .057 hitting percentage
Set 3:
- A couple kills by Fernando gave FDU the early led
- A back and forth set that was tied at 15 until FDU went on a 4-1 to open a 19-16 lead
- Following a couple Princeton points, FDU responded with kills by Young and Dylan McFadden sandwiched around a Fernando block to bring the score to 22-18
- McFadden took home the set himself with a a kill and an ace to get FDU to 25
Set 4:
- The No. 15 team in the land would respond in a set that lasted 40 minutes due to a tightly contested set and four challenges
- Princeton would not relinquish the lead in the early going that featured six ties but no lead changes through 15 points
- FDU finally took the lead 17-16 on two straight kills from Young and Santiago La Jara
- The Knights were close to closing out their first ranked opponent in program history leading 20-18 after another kill from Young
- Princeton then knotted the score at 23 and took a one-point on a block
- Two straight blocks from Princeton forced the fifth set
Set 5:
- Princeton jumped out to a 7-2 lead and didn't look back
- FDU brought the deficit back to four at 11-7, but the Tigers closed out the match with a 4-1 run
FDU hits the road on Saturday to compete in Northeast Conference action against LIU at 5p.m.
