HACKENSACK, N.J.- FDU (12-9, 6-2 NEC) downed Daemen (12-12, 5-5 NEC) in three sets as FDU notches their sixth straight victory. The Knights have tied their program record for wins in a season. During the first set, Jamal Ellis became the first Knight to log 1000 career kills, asserting himself as the all-itime leading scorer for FDU. The Knights remain entangled in a tight playoff race, situated in first place with four games to go.
 

Set 1:

Panagiotis Kourmouzos dished out the first kill for FDU, leveling the contest 1-1. Ellis made himself involved early, using two consecutive kills to help the Knights power ahead early 4-2. Daemen worked their way back within a point, 8-9, which began a back-and-forth scoring spree for both squads. 

Holding onto a 13-12 edge, FDU recorded six of the next seven points to take a 17-12 advantage. Ellis' 1000th kill brought about the run, with Laydon Biro also dealing a kill as well as helping Rayjan Suarez Palacios distribute a block. Three errors by the visitors concluded this burst for FDU.

Biro and Ellis teamed up for two more kills to help the Knights finish pulling away. Daemen began a late rally, narrowing the gap, 24-20, before a service error ended the set in FDU's favor. 
 

Set 2:

Dylan McFadden notched the first kill for FDU in the second set. Two Daemen attacking errors helped FDU lead early 3-1. Daemen answered back topping the Knights to go ahead 7-4. 

Down 13-10, a trio of Knights' kills helped tie the effort, Suarez Palacios, Baboloki Silwane, and Biro helped the Knights balance out the scoreboard. Two Wildcat attacking erros gave FDU a 15-14 lead. Kourmouzos and McFadden combined for a block as the Knights extended their lead 18-15. 

FDU remained ahead, before Daemen rattled off six points to take a 24-22 lead. The Knights showed no quit, rallying to tie the game at 24 each way. Neither team was able to devise a two point lead. After Daemen found themselves in a match point scenario, FDU found three straight points, capped off by a McFadden kill. FDU took a two set advantage with a 30-28 final score.  
 

Set 3:

The third set began in similar gridlock fashion. Down 3-1, FDU earned two quick points to equalize the early goings of the third set. Ellis and Biro tacked on matching kills, with Silwane providing the assists to give FDU an 8-6 lead. FDU did not trail the rest of the way. 

The Knights were able to hold onto a one point margin, after exchanging a flurry of points. Ahead 18-17, Biro helped start a seven-point-run to give the Knights their first ever three set victory over Daemen. The Knights closed the third set, 25-17.   
 

The Stats:

• Jamal Ellis: 12 kills, 5 digs
  • Ellis became the first FDU player to record 1000 career kills
• Laydon Biro: 11 kills, ace, block assist
• Dylan McFadden: 5 kills, 13 digs, 3 assisted blocks

What's Next

The Knights play two more home games this season. The squad hosts two games versus UMES next weekend, with the first scheduled for April 10 at 6 p.m. FDU will recognize their seniors the next day, before their 1 p.m. second match with UMES. 
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