HACKENSACK, N.J.- FDU (9-16, 6-3 NEC) defeated Chicago St. (1-20, 1-8 NEC) in a 3-0 NEC contest. Ava Deguzman dealt six aces, a new career best in the victory, as the Knights picked up their sixth NEC victory.
In the first set, the Knights created separation immediately by winning seven of the first eight rallies to move ahead 7-1. Ava Deguzman served two aces during that opening stretch, helping FDU take control before Chicago St. could settle in.
The home side maintained its margin through the middle of the set with points from several attackers, including kills by Mila Samardzija, Alessia Zampieri, Isabella Scarfone and Angela Marchetto. With the Knights still in command late, Nora Marginean closed the frame with a kill to finish off a 25-14 win.
FDU again started quickly in the second set, with Deguzman serving the Knights through a 6-0 opening run that included service aces on the second and sixth points.
Chicago St. later worked its way back within 15-11, but Zampieri stopped the push with a kill. Deguzman followed by adding two more aces as the Knights extended the lead to 19-11. FDU kept enough distance the rest of the way, and Agnes Shakirova finished the 25-19 set with a kill from Scarfone.
The third set was the tightest of the match, with the Knights needing a late response to seal the victory. Samardzija logged a kill during a late FDU push that helped keep the set within reach, but Chicago St. remained in striking distance, moving in front 23-22.
To close the door on the visitors, the Knights scored the final three points to turn the deficit into a 25-23 finish. Deguzman served the final two points, and FDU converted the match point on a Chicago St. attack error.
FDU and Chicago State play again tomorrow night, with the match beginnning at 1 p.m. The match will stream on NEC Front Row.
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