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Both Fairleigh Dickinson and Belmont Abbey will attempt to hit a jackpot in the opening week of the 2023 season.
Fairleigh Dickinson announced earlier this week it will play Belmont Abbey on Jan. 7 as part of the Battle for the Boardwalk at the Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The Knights are one of three NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball programs located in New Jersey. The second-year program finished its inaugural year at 7-16 and as a NEC school will compete in that newly formed NEC men’s volleyball conference in 2023.
Belmont Abbey, one year removed from winning the ConfCarolinas championship, ended the 2022 season in sixth place in the ConfCarolinas and advanced to the conference tournament quarterfinals.
The North Carolina team also has ties to New Jersey throughout its program history. The Crusaders roster has featured at least one player from New Jersey every season since 2017.
The Battle for the Boardwalk initially was supposed to only feature these two two programs, Fairleigh Dickinson coach Karl France said to Off the Block. However, the non-conference tournament has expanded to include four more teams – St. Francis Brooklyn, American International, Monroe College and Eastern Nazarene.
“Hopefully, this showcase of men’s collegiate volleyball will be aspirational and inspirational for the young men who visit Atlantic City in January,” France said.
Along with the match versus Belmont Abbey, Fairleigh Dickinson will open the Battle for the Boardwalk with exhibition matches against Monroe College and Eastern Nazarene on Jan. 6.