LORETTO, Pa.- The FDU Knights (14-12, 7-5 NEC) bested UMES (17-11, 7-5 NEC) in the NEC Men's Volleyball Semifinals. The Knights snap a three game losing streak and advance to their first Championship Match in program history. Jamal Ellis, Laydon Biro, and Dylan McFadden logged double-digit kills.
The Knights began the first set with momentum on their side. The outside hitters for the Knights combined for four of the Knights' first seven kills. Jamal Ellis topped off the run with a service ace to provide a 7-3 advantage. FDU allowed a five-point-run to now trail the Hawks 8-7.
A Dylan McFadden kill tied the set at 15-15, before UMES gathered a larger lead. The Knights were unable to keep up with three point runs from the Hawks, and dropped the first set 25-19.
The second set saw a slower start for the Knights, who exchanged points with UMES right away. The teams fought their way to a 7-7 stalemate, before Jamal Ellis and Dylan McFadden landed kills to stride ahead 9-7. An Ellis ace extended the lead by one more to extend the lead to three.
Four UMES points were broken up by a lone service error, as the Hawks jumped up 11-10 over the Knights. Baboloki Silwane set up Ellis for three consecutive kills as the Knights once again led in the second set 14-11.
UMES fought their way back in front 20-19, before the Knights responded with a three point run capped off by a Laydon Biro kill to lead 22-20. FDU held onto their lead, with McFadden ending the set in FDU's favor, 25-23.
UMES led the Knights 7-3 to begin the set, with the designated visitor team off to a fast start. Two kills from Ellis and another from Suarez Palacios allowed the Knights to cut into the deficit 12-7.
FDU capitalized with a run scoring eight of the next nine points to jump ahead 16-13. Panagiotis Kourmouzos was a part of two consecutive blocking efforts on the rally, while Biro, Ellis, and McFadden each contributed a kill of their own.
UMES fought back to cut their deficit to just 20-19. Ellis answered back with two of the game's next four points to keep the Knights ahead in the set 23-10. Two UMES errors ended the set for FDU, 25-23.
After each team logged their first point of the set, the squads exchanged trios of points, with UMES landing three unanswered points before the Knights responded in kind. With the score even at 4-4, the teams swapped points until they were level again at 7 each way.
Biro and Kormouzos landed kills before Suarez Palacios dished out a service ace. FDU's run culminated with a double block from McFadden and Suarez Palacios. The Knights led 11-7. The Hawks gained steam quickly, dashing past the Knights, 17-14.
The Knights fought to stay within three, trailing 22-19. Ellis and Suarez Palacios contributed kills to jumpstart a game-altering run for the Knights. UMES errors also helped FDU retake the lead 24-22, and set up a match-point scenario.
UMES fired off a lone kill, before Ellis ended the fourth set 25-23, and concluded the semifinal match to send the Knights to the NEC Championship.
The Knights play SFU tomorrow afternoon for the NEC Championship. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will air on ESPN+.
