Box Score HACKENSACK, N.J. – The FDU Knights earned their second-consecutive victory on Saturday night taking down the Merrimack Warriors in three sets. The win improves the Knights' record to 8-11 and moves them to 2-4 in NEC play. It is the first time this season the Knights have swept a conference weekend. The defeat drops the Warriors to 7-11, 2-4.
 
The Knights showed zero sign of fatigue early even after they won a thrilling, but lengthy, five-set match at home 24 hours earlier. They put together one of their sounder defensive sets of the season in the first, holding the Warriors to a -.037 hitting percentage and forcing them into nine attack errors. This defensive effort was highlighted by five team blocks. Thanks to this and a .278 attack percentage of their own, FDU won the first set comfortably 25-16.
 
Building off the momentum from set number one, Karl France's Knights slowly climbed out to an 11-9 lead in set two. Then in a flash, FDU exploded on a 7-3 run that created some much-needed separation. With sights set on taking a commanding 2-0 lead, the Knights rode clean volleyball the rest of the way to win the set 25-18. Merrimack was again held below .100 in the attack percentage department, while FDU hit a touch over .200.
 
The third set began with teams splitting the first 22 points evenly at 11 points apiece. FDU surged ahead, yet again, this time with a 7-2 spurt that give them a five-point cushion at 18-13. They were steady the rest of the way and put the finishing touches on a sweet sweep with a 25-17 win in the third set.
 
Offensively, the Knights were paced by Jamal Ellis Carballo, who had seven kills, on a .235 hitting percentage. He was complemented by Jose Angarita who dished out 20 assists.
 
Grady Hoffman had a strong night defensively with 7 digs. The "Original" Knight picked up career dig number 500 in the match.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
FDU finishes a four -game homestand and their 2024 home schedule with two matches next weekend. They will take on D'Youville on Friday, March 29 at 5 p.m. On Saturday, March 30, they will take on Daemen at 1 p.m. Both matches will be streamed on NEC Front Row.