HACKENSACK, N.J.- FDU Women's Volleyball (3-12, 2-0 NEC) took down the Mercyhurst Lakers (4-10, 0-2 NEC) in four sets to wrap up a two-win weekend for the Knights. After falling in the first set, the Knights secured wins in the next three sets to earn a four-set victory. Madeline Joyce logged a career-high seven aces in the contest, while the Knights logged 12 total aces on the day.
The Knights jumped out to a 4-0 lead, which consisted of two attacking errors from the Lakers, the first of seven aces from Madeline Joyce, and a double block from Alessia Zampieri and Nina Jasiecka. The Lakers began to cut away at FDU's lead until a four-point run put the visitors ahead 10-8. Errors from the Lakers helped the Knights pull back in front, with two kills from Mila Samardzija giving FDU a 16-14 advantage.
The Lakers ended the inaugural set by scoring eight of the final nine points as they took an early one-set lead over the Knights.
The Knights began the second set with early momentum, using a four-point run to take a 5-2 lead. Kiah Lopez dealt a kill, while Joyce recorded two more aces in the burst. The Knights quickly launched another five-point scoring spree, which was highlighted by three consecutive aces from Lopez to put FDU ahead 10-4.Â
The Lakers continued to press the Knights, fighting back to a 12-12 stalemate. Another kill from Lopez, along with two Mercyhurst errors, put the Knights back ahead 15-12. The Knights continued the trend of scoring in bunches, landing another four-point run to increase their lead to 19-14.
Kills from Alessia Zampieri and Isabella Scarfone put the Knights in position for a set point, which was delivered by a Mercyhurst error. FDU took the second set 25-22.
After sacrificing the first point, the Knights embarked on a five-point run, which was bookended by Samardzija kills. Lopez also landed a kill, while Lopez and Angela Marchetto added a double block. FDU continued to hold their advantage, as another ace from Joyce kept the Knights ahead by six, 9-3.Â
Holding a 19-14 edge late, FDU began running away in the late portion of the third set. Joyce landed two more service aces, while Zampieri and Deguzman went up for a double block as the Knights took a 24-14 lead. The Knights let up one more point in the set before Deguzman landed the final kill of the set to seal a 25-15 third set for FDU.Â
The fourth and final stanza of action saw the teams play to an early 5-5 score. Zampieri and Samardzija helped the Knights attain a three-point run, as they took an 8-5 lead. The squads exchanged points before the Lakers used a quartet of points to take a 12-11 lead. The lead was short-lived, as a kill from Deguzman and an ace from Joyce gave FDU a 14-12 cushion.Â
The Lakers were able to tie the set at 20 points each before going ahead 23-22. Two Lakers' errors gave the Knights a match-point scenario, which Lopez capitalized on to end the fourth set 25-23.Â
- Mila Samardzija: 14 kills, 13 digs, 2 aces
- Kiah Lopez: 13 kills, 3 aces, 2 blocking assists
- Maddie Joyce: 7 aces, 24 digs
- Both set new single-game career bests for Joyce
The Knights continue NEC play, playing a weekend doubleheader at Central Connecticut. The first match is at 6 p.m. on Oct. 9. Both contests will air on NEC Front Row.
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