PROVO, Utah — Coming off a record 2024 season (22-9, 11-3 NEC), the FDU Knights women's volleyball team began their 2025 NCAA volleyball season at the dōTERRA Classic, facing off against No. 19 BYU at the historic Smith Fieldhouse.
This marked the first-ever meeting between the Knights and the Cougars in women's volleyball. However, it was the second time FDU and BYU met across the net in Provo, as their men's programs faced off back in 2023.
Ahead of today's matches, Head Coach David Nguyen stated, "We are excited and grateful to be able to compete against a premier team in the NCAA like #19 BYU. The match will push us physically and mentally, which will allow us to grow as a team for the rest of the season." Now in his fourth season leading the program, Coach Nguyen has led the team to three NEC title matches, one NCAA tournament berth, and a 53-42 (.558) record over the past three seasons.
FDU (0-1) Comes Up Short Against No. 19 BYU (1-0)
Playing in front of 1,634 fans at an altitude of 4,553 feet, the Knights dropped their season opener to the nationally ranked Cougars in straight sets, 0-3 (16-25, 12-25, 15-25), in the first match of a doubleheader in Provo.
Set 1:
Facing an electric BYU crowd, the Knights came out swinging and made an early statement against the No. 19. Cougars. Senior Kylie Nott led the offense, hitting .775 with three kills, while fellow Senior Kyndal Ganoe led defense with 5 digs. Despite leading the set in both kills and digs, the Knights struggled to overcome BYU's block and service pressure. The Cougars tallied six total blocks and scored back-to-back aces from Alex Bower to pull away, taking set one 25-16.
Set 2:
FDU continued to battle early in the second set, staying within three points behind kills from sophomore Alessia Zampieri. But a late run, sparked by two kills from BYU's Suli Davis and an FDU attack error, swung momentum to the Cougars. With another pair of aces from Claire Little Chamber, BYU closed out the set 25-12.
Set 3:
The Knights continued to show resilience in the third set. Junior transfer Ava Deguzman made her FDU debut, recording three kills and one ace. Strong defensive efforts from Ganoe helped the Knights gain some momentum, but the firepower of BYU's Davis proved to be too much, as the Cougars secured the match 3-0.
The Stats:
The Knights (0-2) Battle High Point (1-1) in Four-Sets
In their second match of the dōTERRA Classic, the FDU Knights battled, yet fell to the High Point University Panthers in four sets, 1-3 (23-25, 25-19, 18-25, 20-25).
Set 1:
Service errors set the tone early, as both teams combined for eleven in the first set. The Knights jumped to an early 2-0 lead off a huge block by Kylie Nott and an ace from Isabella Scarfone. Senior Giorgia Vaschetti fired a key kill to pull FDU within one, 17-18. Though the Panthers maintained a slight edge, a late-set swing by Avery Bain gave the Knights a 22-21 lead. However, the Panthers rallied with several key swings in the final moments to take the set, 25-23.
Set 2:
Freshman setter Sirma Bayrakci opened the second set with an ace that helped FDU build an early 4-1 lead. The set remained tight with both sides trading points, but two Panther errors allowed the Knights to pull ahead, 16-14. Momentum continued to build behind two kills from Ava Deguzman and another Panther error, putting the Knights up 20-15. High Point responded with a four-point run, but a monster block by Nott sealed the set for the Knights, 25-19.
Set 3:
Both teams started out slow in the third set, but the Panthers found an early rhythm and built a four-point lead, 12-8. The Knights responded with a kill, an ace, and a major block to tie the set at 12-12. However, several back-to-back errors opened the door for the Panthers to get ahead 21-16. A final block from the Panther closed out set three, 25-18.
Set 4:
The Panthers pounced to a 5-1 lead from back-to-back kills by Gia Padilla, but a kill by FDU's Zampieri would end the run. Rallying behind the Italian kills of Angela Marchetto and Giorgia Vaschetti, the Knight pulled within one, forcing a High Point timeout at 7-8. Out of the break, the Panthers regained momentum, extending their lead to 16-10. FDU off the block of Marchetto and Zampieri sparked a few points, cutting the deficit to 16-18. Consecutive errors by the Knights allowed High Point to push ahead, 21-16. Despite late kills by Vaschetti and Deguzman, the Panthers maintained their lead, closing the set 25-20, and secured the 3-1 victory.
The Stats:
The Knights finish day one of dōTERRA Classic with an 0-2 record and will close out opening weekend tomorrow August 30th against Central Michigan (1-0).
Tomorrow's match promises to be a battle with this hungry Knights team seeking their first win of their 2025 season and redemption after last season's four set loss to the Chippewas at the UAlbany Tournament.
Check all the action on ESPN at 12 p.m ET.
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