BOCA RATON, Fla. – Lynn University will square off against Florida Southern on Friday in the NCAA Tournament opening round and the second-seeded Fighting Knights will rely on a veteran presence that has produced one of the country's most potent offensive attacks.
 
The Knights are making their third-consecutive trip the NCAAs, but the '22 version of the Fighting Knights bring with them Division II's sixth-ranked attack in terms of kills (14.37) and assists per set (13.21). Lynn is 23^rd nationally in hitting percentage (.252) and has amassed 1,394 kills.
 
"We have had some very talented setters over the last few years that have helped with a balanced attack and one of the top offenses in the country," said head coach Adam Milewski.
 
The attack up-front is led by a foursome that has accounted for over 80 percent of the offense this fall and they are guided by a senior setter that is a legitimate All-American candidate in her first year as the starter.
 
The trio of graduate student Monica Mazzoleni and seniors Page Barash and Nadia Lindner have grabbed attention both on and off the court all season and the NCAAs should not be any different.
 
Barash leads the team with 345 kills, while Lindner, a 2021 AVCA All-American, is second on the roster in both kills (332) and digs (246). Mazzonleni is in her first year with the Fighting Knights, but has played like a four-year member of head coach Adam Milewski's squad. She is hitting a team-best .352 with 257 kills and is sixth in the Sunshine State Conference with 91 blocks.
 
Graduate student Nikolija Katanic is fourth on the team in kills (184), while hitting .254 with 34 blocks.
 
Senior Emily Edwards enters the tournament ranked 11^th nationally in assists per set (11.05) and has been named the SSC Setter of the Week four times.
 
"Emily is an extremely talented setter that has helped lead our offense over the past two seasons," added Milewski. "Emily has been executing at a high level not only with her assists but with her blocking. She has become a more vocal leader on the floor this season."
 
Defensively, Mazzoleni, Edwards and sophomore Aline Olegario have combined for 205 blocks, while senior Marin Black has totaled 413 digs in her first season with the program.
 
The Fighting Knights enter the NCAA regional having won seven-straight and 17 of their last 19 matches. Lynn is 8-1 in matches played on a neutral court in 2022 with its only loss coming against seventh-ranked St. Cloud State in early September.
 
Lynn defeated Florida Southern both times during the regular season and the Moccasins enter the weekend with a 15-14 overall record. The Mocs will be led by a pair of All-SSC performers in Beatrice Formilan (5.07 digs per set) and Mackenzie Peterman (3.39 kills per set).
 
FSC is making its 33^rd trip to the NCAA Tournament and first since 2018.
 
Fans interested in following all of the action of the regional can view the official tournament page by clicking here.