BUFFALO, N.Y.- The FDU Knights (9-9, 3-2 NEC) bested the D'Youville Saints (2-18, 0-7 NEC) in three sets. The Knights gather a winning record in NEC play as they enter the final stretch before the postseason. FDU out-hit the Saints .278 to .181, while six FDU players logged four points or more in the victory.
Two opposing attacking errors gave FDU an early 4-3 lead. The Knights continued to benefit off of attacking miscues. Utilizing three more errors, as well as a block from
Rayjan Suarez Palacios and
Eli Nelson, FDU extended their advantage 8-5.
Already ahead 12-10,
Laydon Biro and Suarez Palacios laid down kills to punctuate a five-point-outburst. The teams traded off points before two more Biro kills extended the Knights' lead, 22-14.
The Saints attempted to mount a late comeback, utilizing a 7-1 run to keep the Knights on their heels. Ahead by two, FDU saw two more attacking errors from D'Youville to end the set in the Knights' favor, 25-21
FDU carried their momentum into the second set, with two more Biro kills and a service ace by
Baboloki Silwane giving the Knights a 6-1 lead. The Knights continued to hold off the Saints, with kills coming from Biro,
Jamal Ellis, and Suarez Palacios to leave the Knights in front, 9-4.
The next six FDU points came from D'Youville errors, as the Knights continued to lead 15-12 before they would land their next kill by way of Panagiotis Kormouzos. Ellis played a factor on the next two FDU points, helping Suarez Palacios on a block and adding a kill of his own. FDU took an 18-13 lead into the waning stages of the second set.
After a back and forth battle, FDU held onto their advantage to put Biro in a set-winning position. The outside hitter ended the set 25-22.
The Saints had the better of the early play, tying the set at 3-3. Ellis began the scoring, with Kormouzos landing an ace and
Eli Nelson dealing two kills. Ellis also concluded the run for the Knights with an ace of his own. D'Youville responded in kind, quickly closing the gap with a three-point-run. FDU remained ahead 8-7.
Clean volleyball kept FDU ahead 11-10, before Ellis created more separation for the Knights by logging two consecutive kills. D'Youville began to find a rhythm by getting kills on the board, but would stall out by committing service errors. The Knights led 15-12 before another Ellis ace and another pair of attacking errors by the Saints improved FDU's lead,18-12.
Following three unanswered points from D'Youville, neither team could string any points together, going score-for-score. FDU remained ahead by two, with Silwane delivering match point as FDU won the final set 25-22.
The Knights return home for a weekend slate versus Daemen. The first matchup begins Friday, at 6 p.m. with coverage on NEC Front Row.
