HACKENSACK, N.J. — The home opener for the FDU women's volleyball team ended in a
2-0 sweep at the Bogota Savings Bank Center. The Knights faced Iona and Manhattan on Friday and came away with two thrilling victories in front of their home crowd.
"It feels good to get back on track," said Head Coach
David Nguyen. "Pulled out a really tough scrappy match and continued that with a complete game versus Manhattan. Hope we can continue this and stack some more wins."
Thriller Over the Gaels
The first match of the day featured a five-set thriller between the FDU Knights and the Iona Gaels. FDU emerged victorious, winning 20–25, 25–15, 27–25, 21–25, 15–12.
Set 1:
The Gaels put pressure on the Knights from the service line early. FDU began to shift the momentum behind the arm of Kylie Nott, who tallied five kills and a monster block. Despite the pushback, Iona closed out the opening set, 25–20.
Set 2:
The Knights' defense came alive, with the back row keeping nearly every ball off the floor. FDU totaled 20 digs and held Iona to a .053 hitting percentage, cruising to a 25–15 set win.
Set 3:
In a tight set that went point-for-point, MacKenzy Ruggiero recorded her 500th career kill and hit .400. The Gaels reached set point, but the Knights pulled the rug out from under them to steal the set, 27–25.
Set 4:
Iona jumped out to a 5–1 lead, forcing an early FDU timeout. Captain Giorgia Vaschetti sparked a comeback effort, but the Gaels held off the Knights to win the set, 25–21.
Set 5:
FDU stormed out to a 5–0 lead, forcing Iona to call timeout. The Gaels responded with a run of their own, but the Knights held firm to claim the final set, 15–12, and the match, 3–2.
Stat Highlights:
Domination Over the Jaspers
In the second match of the day, FDU carried its momentum and dominated Manhattan in straight sets: 25–14, 25–21, 25–16. All players contributed in a balanced team win.
Set 1:
The Knights came out blazing, energized by their five-set win over Iona. FDU hit an impressive .444 as a team and cruised to a 25–14 win.
Set 2:
FDU maintained control for most of the set. Manhattan made a late push with a 5–0 service run, but the Knights regrouped and closed out the set, 25–21.
Set 3:
The final set was all FDU. The Knights pulled away and sealed the match with a 25–16 win, completing the 3–0 sweep.
Stat Highlights:
FDU heads to Iona's campus to face Columbia at 4 p.m. to wrap up the FDU/Iona Invitational.
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