DALLAS, Pa. -- The FDU-Florham volleyball team was unable to hand the Misericordia University Cougars their first Freedom Conference loss on Tuesday, ultimately falling in straight-sets 3-0 (19-25, 21-25, 20-25) at the Anderson Center.

The Devils (14-14, 2-2 Freedom) could not take a set from the Cougars (12-12, 4-0 Freedom), who improved to 4-0 in conference play. 

In the loss, freshman outside hitter Melissa Gaffney (League City, Texas) recorded 13 kills and five digs, while fellow freshman Natalie Knudsen (Chester, N.J.) totaled nine kills and three digs. Reigning Freedom Conference Player of the Week Codi Inloes-Williams (Palmer Lake, Colo.) dished out 23 assists in the three-set loss.

After dropping the first set, the Devils dug themselves a hole in the second set by falling behind 8-1. The Cougars managed to build the early lead thanks in part to junior Lexi Giannone's three service aces. Misericordia remained in the driver's seat and increased their lead to 18-8 before claiming the set 25-21. 

In the third set, the Devils fell behind again as the Cougars jumped out to a 5-0 advantage. The Cougars continued the surge and built a 19-11 cushion en route to the victory. FDU-Florham made nine attack errors in the decisive set and posted a .139 attack percentage as a team.

For Misericordia, Paige Shaughnessy and Shelby Brochetti paced the attack with eight kills apiece, while sophomore Nicole Taggerty totaled 22 assists and five digs in the winning effort. 

Next up for the Devils:
FDU-Florham has eight days off before hosting Eastern University next Wednesday, October 15th at 7 p.m.