FAIRFAX, Va. (Sept. 21, 2024)--Madison Grace totaled 12 kills and Addison Metts nearly added a double-double with 10 kills and a team-high nine digs, but it wasn't enough for Morgan State, which dropped its finale of the Patriot Invite to Fairleigh Dickinson, 3-1 (16-25, 26-24, 18-25, 21-25) on Saturday afternoon at the Recreational and Athletic Complex on the George Mason campus.
 
Morgan State fell to 4-10 overall, while FDU improved to 7-5. The Knights, who avenged last season's 3-2 loss to Morgan State in the Morgan/Towson Invitational (9/1/23), also upped their record to 4-5 all-time against the Bears.
 
Trinity Carruthers finished with 15 assists and Mya Karrick totaled 14, six digs and a team-best four service aces.
 
In a rarity, the Bears would be out blocked by the Knights, 13.0-11.0. It would mark just the third time this season and opponent would out block Morgan State.
 
Jada Williams and Aubrey Wilson each had five blocks to lead the Bears. Ainara Fernandes and Metts each had three blocks.
 
FDU was led by Angela Marchetto, who finished with seven blocks, including three solo. Kylie Nott and Eleonara Tosi each had five combined blocks with one solo each.
 
Offensively, Nott led the Knights with a match-high 13 kills and Avery Bain and MacKenzy Ruggiero added 12 and 11, respectively. Hannah Schmidt totaled 25 assists and five aces, both match highs. Emily Van O'Linda tallied a match-high 21 digs.
 
Morgan State will now direct its attention to Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play when the Bears welcome Maryland Eastern Shore to Hill Field House for the MEAC opener on Friday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m. at Hill Field House.
 
 
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ABOUT MORGAN
Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 140 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland's Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.