NEW YORK, N.Y.- The FDU Knights (1-4) fell in four sets to Columbia (1-0) in the opening contest of the Big Apple Tournament. FDU took care of set one, and played close with the Lions in the final three sets. The Knights play two more contests at Levian Gym tomorrow to round out the two day tournament. Mila Samardzija recorded her first double-double as an FDU Knight, eclipsing ten digs and kills in today's outing.
FDU took a two point lead early, following a kill from Samardzija to hold a 3-1 edge. The Lions took a brief lead before Samardzija and Nina Jasiecka reasserted the Knights, 5-4.
Columbia was able to extend their lead to 9-6. From there, Kiah Lopez dealt her first kill of the day, before helping Kaylie Jensen on a block. Jensen capped off the run for FDU by firing off a set-tying kill over the middle. The teams sat at a 9-9 stalemate.
With Columbia once again in front 13-11, a mistimed service error put the Knights in striking distance. FDU capitalized by scoring the next five points, with Angela Marchetto being involved on a pair of double-blocks, and Nora Marginean dealing back-to-back aces. FDU took a 17-13 lead into the latter stages of the opening set.
Lopez and Samardzija added late kills to give the Knights a 23-20 advantage. Columbia found a way to tie the contest at 23-23 before a Block from Alessia Zampieri and Marchetto ended the set 25-23 in favor of FDU.
The Knights started fast in the second set, with the first point of the set being an ace from Isabella Scarfone. Columbia committed four early errors to help the Knights advance to a 5-2 start to the second set. From there, eight of the next 10 points went the way of the Lions, as they retook the lead 10-7.
Columbia found big runs in the middle of the set, muscling their way to a 20-12 lead. Samardzija then kicked off a four-point-run, which saw another ace from Marginean, to put the Knights within four, 20-16. The Lions held onto their advantage, taking the second set 25-20.
A service ace from Kayla Green and a kill from Samardzija helped to put the Knights within one point in the early goings of the third set, after Columbia took a 4-3 lead. Marginean dished out her final ace of the day to even the score at 4-4.
The Lions pushed their way back in front, holding onto an 11-9 lead. Three attacking errors and two kills from Samardzija put the Knights back in front, 14-11.
With the score tied 20-20, Columbia pulled ahead for good, landing the final five points to take the third set 25-20.
The home squad had a faster start in the final set, jumping out to a 7-3 over the Knights. Three attacking errors and a kill from Lopez evened out the scoreboard, 7-7. No team was able to take a decisive advantage until the Lions extended their lead, 16-12 following a three point run.
The Knights were able to keep the match interesting down the stretch, stringing together a five-point-run to come within two points, 23-21. Columbia remained ahead, scoring the final two points to close the fourth set 25-21.
The Knights have two contests tomorrow as they round out their weekend at the Big Apple Tournament. They take on Lafayette at 11 a.m. and Iona at 3:30 p.m. Both matches will be livestreamed on ESPN+.
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