MAHWAH, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham volleyball team dropped its first two games of the Roadrunner Invitational on Friday, Sept. 16.

The Devils fell to SUNY New Paltz, 3-1, and were defeated by Ramapo College, 3-0.

FDU-Florham fell to 4-5 overall while New Paltz improved to 5-6 and Ramapo jumped to 8-3 on the season.

FDU-Florham 1, New Paltz 3 (21-25, 25-20, 16-25, 15-25)
The Devils and the Hawks were neck and neck in the first set, consistently trading points back and forth. However, with the score tied at 21, New Paltz found a way to score four straight points in order to seal the win.

The second set highlighted more of the same even play. With the score tied at 17, the Devils began their scoring campaign and took command to win the set, 25-20.

FDU-Florham was unable to bring more of the same in the next two sets, however, as New Paltz recorded wins in the next two sets to take down the Devils, 3-1.

Junior Melissa Gaffney and sophomores Lauren Harris and Kate Quinlan led FDU-Florham in kills with a combined total of 26. Junior Courtney Conte contributed 20 assists and classmate Rachel Catena made 23 digs.

FDU-Florham 0, Ramapo 3 (12-25, 14-25, 16-25)
In the second match of tournament, the Roadrunners took full control of the court, sweeping the Devils, 3-0.

The Roadrunners recorded 29 kills to the Devils' 19 and 49 points to FDU-Florham's 23. The Devils, however, matched their opponent with 49 digs to Ramapo's 50. The Devils struggled to notch any aces however, allowing the Roadrunners to grab 13.

Ramapo was able to successfully grab the early lead and hold on in each of the three sets to ensure the Devils' defeat.

Gaffney and Harris and Quinlan once again led FDU-Florham in kills with a four each. Freshman Brianna Perone added 11 assists to the effort while Sophomore Nikole Meluso made 20 digs.

The Devils return to action in the second day of the Roadrunner Invitational on Saturday, Sept. 17 against Hunter College at 11 a.m. and Mount Saint Mary College (NY) at 1 p.m.