BRONX, N.Y.- The FDU Knights (1-3) dropped their third straight to the Fordham Rams (3-1) in a non-conference women's volleyball match. The Knights boasted a strong third set, where they landed four service aces and dished out four blocks.
Kiah Lopez played the best game of her young career, logging her first career double double with 10 kills and 11 digs. She becomes the first Knight to achieve such a feat this season. FDU enjoys a few days off before playing in the Big Apple Tournament, hosted by Columbia.
The Knights found themselves down quickly 8-1, with a kill from
Alessia Zampieri putting the Knights on the board for the first time. FDU began to chip away at the deficit early, with Lopez and
Nina Jasiecka landing kills to narrow the deficit to 9-5. Fordham gathered their momentum before extending their lead to 14-7.
Lopez strung together three kills for FDU, which helped the Knights keep the first set interesting. Trailing by four, the Knights let up a five-point-run to trail 21-14. Fordham hung onto their advantage, taking the first set, 25-17.
After Lopez gave FDU the first point of the set, the Rams ripped off a seven-point-burst to retake a strong lead. Fordham continued to outpace the Knights en route to a 16-7 lead.
FDU found their first big momentum swing of the evening with a four-point-run, which was kicked off by a kill from Zampieri. Lopez was involved with another kill, and Zampieri capped off the burst with a solo block. The Knights cut down the deficit, trailing 16-11. A service ace from
Nora Marginean and a triple block helped the Knights stay in striking distance, down 21-15. Fordham however, held onto their advantage, taking the second set, 25-18.
The Knights carried on that momentum shift into the start of the third set.
Isabella Scarfone began the set with a service ace. She was followed uo by
Mila Samardzija who logged a kill to put the Knights ahead 2-0. Zampieri and Lopez combined for four of the Knights' next five points, extending their lead to 7-2. A five-point-run by the Rams closed this gap, tying the contest at seven each way.
The set took a turn, seeing the teams exchange points before FDU tied the game at 12-12. The Knights then picked up three more points, including a double block featuring Samardzija and
Kaylie Jensen. Jensen followed up the play with a kill to give the Knights a 15-12 cushion. The Rams were able to close the gap once again before
Kayla Green logged her first kill of the season to give the Knights a 17-15 lead. The libero then dealt back-to-back service aces to continue extending FDU's lead.
FDU was able to hold onto their lead, with a late 23-21 advantage. Fordham found the final four points of the match to take the third set, 25-23.
- Kiah Lopez: 10 kills, 11 assists, 2 blocking assists, 1 service ace
- Recorded first career double-double with 10 kills and 11 assists
- Alessia Zampieri: 7 kills, 1 solo block, 3 blocking assists
The Knights travel to the Big Apple Tournament, where they take on Columbia Sep. 4, at 11 a.m. Coverage of the game will air on ESPN+
Connect with the Knights on Instagram an X @FDUKnightsWVB
