Games of the Weekend Recap: FDU Gets Program Record 10th Straight Win
In a weekend series packed with intensity, FDU took two hard-fought victories over new NEC member Mercyhurst, showcasing resilience and skill in both matches.
Match One: FDU Secures First Win of the Weekend
FDU opened the series with a 3-0 sweep, though Mercyhurst made them work for it, especially in the first set. The Knights started slow but rallied behind a strong team effort, pulling off a 25-22 victory after a late push. Sophomore Avery Bain played a pivotal role, logging three kills in the final points to help FDU take the early lead.
The second set was a turning point, as the Knights went on an 11-4 run to break open a competitive start, cruising to a 25-15 win behind strong offensive contributions from Bain, MacKenzy Ruggiero, and freshman Angela Marchetto. With momentum fully on their side, FDU kept up the pressure in the third set, hitting .292 while Mercyhurst struggled with errors. The Knights closed it out 25-19, securing the sweep and their ninth consecutive victory.
Bain led the Knights with 10 kills, while junior Kylie Nott added 2.5 blocks to contribute defensively. The Lakers were left to regroup and take the positives from the competitive first set for the second game the next day. They did just that.
Match Two: FDU Breaks Record in Five-Set Thriller
The second matchup between the two teams was a classic, with FDU earning a dramatic 3-2 win that set a program record with their 10th consecutive victory. Mercyhurst, determined to bounce back, came out swinging in the first set. Led by outside hitter Andrea Zaric, the Lakers capitalized on six FDU errors to take the set 25-20 and gain an early advantage.
FDU, however, found their rhythm in sets two and three. They were nearly flawless in set two, posting 12 kills with zero errors for a .455 hitting percentage, and they carried that consistency into the third set, winning 25-20 and 25-13, respectively. Bain continued her standout performance, supported by Ruggiero and Nott, who each added crucial kills to keep the Knights in control.
Refusing to go down quietly, Mercyhurst delivered an inspired performance in the fourth set. The Lakers came alive, with four aces and seven blocks frustrating FDU's attack. Mercyhurst held the lead throughout and forced a decisive fifth set with a 25-17 win.
In the final set, Mercyhurst jumped out to an 11-6 lead, putting FDU on the ropes. Winning streaks don’t last forever, and the Lakers had momentum on their side. But Bain once again stepped up, delivering three kills to tie the match at 13-13. A crucial kill by Ruggiero and an ace from Eleonora Tosi sealed the win for the Knights, who took the set 15-13 to complete the comeback and set the program record with a 10th straight win in dramatic fashion.
Bain led FDU with 17 kills and 12 digs, stepping up in the key moments to secure the victory. Ruggiero added 16 kills, and Nott contributed 13 in the tightly contested match. Defensively, senior Emily Van O'Linda recorded 18 digs to keep the Knights grounded as they faced the Lakers' relentless attack.
Looking Ahead
FDU's unbeaten run in the NEC keeps them atop the conference standings as they head on the road to face Central Connecticut State on October 18. Meanwhile, Mercyhurst, despite the losses, gave the dominant Knights team everything they could handle and almost pulled off the stunner in Saturday’s game. With time to regroup, they will aim to build on these performances as they continue their NEC campaign. They’ve already shown that the early season slump was just that- early season. Now in conference play, the Lakers have proven they’ve got what it takes to compete with anyone- even the seemingly invincible FDU Knights.
Both teams displayed impressive talent and determination, setting the stage for exciting future matchups in the Northeast Conference.
