PROVO, Utah — In their final match of the dōTERRA Classic, the FDU Knights volleyball team (1-2) came out victorious against the Central Michigan Chippewas (1-2),  3-1 (21-25, 25-16, 25-17, 25-19) at Smith Fieldhouse. 

The dynamic outside duo of Giorgia Vaschetti and Ava Deguzman led the Knights offense. Vaschetti recorded 16.5 points and Deguzman scored 12 kills, hitting .600. Likewise, the Knights put on a blocking clinic against the Chippewas, raking up 16 blocks in four sets (4 blks/set). 

Head Coach David Nguyen excited over the win stated, "100% a full team win. I challenged the team pre-match to get out of our comfort zone and they more than delivered. Very proud of this team win!"

Set 1:

FDU held an early lead behind the arm of Senior Captain Giorgia Vaschetti, but a few tough serves allowed the Chippewas to get ahead, 7-10. Two major rips on the right-side from Alessia Zampieri tied the set at 12-12. A stuff block by Nihal Kocakara in her Knights debut forced a Central Michigan timeout as the Knights grasped within one point, 15-16. However, tough service pressure and strong blocking swung the momentum toward the Chippewas. A late-swing by Ava Deguzman allowed the Knights to rally a few more points, but Central Michigan would eventually close out the set 25-21.

Set 2:

Freshman Isabella Scarfone opened the set with an ace, but Central Michigan would maintain a lead to begin. A major block by Nott and Zampieri would bring the Knights within one, 11-12. Senior Samantha Whittholz turned up the service pressure, forcing several Chippewa errors to string along five points for the Knights, 20-14. Senior Kimber Lang with a monster solo block, her 7th block of the match, forced a Central Michigan timeout, 22-16. Deguzman with a one final fiery kill resulted in a Knights set win, 25-16.

Set 3:

FDU became a wall at the net, raking up a total of 5 blocks in the set. The block of Nott and Zampieri would cause Central Michigan several unforced errors for an early lead, 4-1. An ace by the Chippewas would tie the set, forcing FDU to call a time out at 10-10. The Knights would bounce back, regaining their three point lead behind a major swing by Nott, 14-11. Vaschetti with a big swing on the outside pushes the Knights to their largest lead of the set, 21-13. A great dig by Kyndal Ganoe and dump by Lang brings the Knights within two-point of a third set victory. Deguzman again with a big swing on the outside leads the Knights to finish the set 25-17.

Set 4:

Zampieri and Lang with a major block to start the fourth set. Ganoe with a huge defensive play and a back-row setter dump kill by Whittholz ends a long rally, 7-6. Two aces by Scarfone brings the Knights ahead 13-11. The duo of Deguzman and Vaschetti helped the Knights maintain their lead, trading several big kills. Nott with two back-to-back monster blocks puts FDU at 24-19. Deguzman with a huge swing calls for an FDU KNIGHTS victory, 25-19, over the Central Michigan Chippewas, 3-1.

The Stats:

• Giorgia Vaschetti (Sr.) set a new career high with 16.5 points, raking up 14 kills and 2.5 blocks.
• Ava Deguzman (Jr.) set a career high of 12 kills.
• Kimber Lang (Sr.) led all players with 9 blocks, a new career high.
• Kyndal Ganoe led all players with 16 digs.

All-Tournament Recognition:

The Knights conclude the dōTERRA Classic with a 1-2 record on the weekend.