Press Release courtesy of Fairfield Athletics.
Fairfield University Volleyball completed an unbeaten opening weekend of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play with a 3-0 sweep this afternoon at Manhattan. The Stags, who have won three consecutive matches overall, took today’s contest by scores of 25-20, 25-23 and 25-14.
“I was pleased with our energy and discipline in the last set. The great thing is that this team still has so much more to give, and that growth as we progress through conference play will be fun to watch,” said Head Coach Todd Kress.
In addition to a 2-0 start to MAAC play, Fairfield (7-6 overall) improves to 5-1 in true road matches this fall. The Stags took a 3-2 decision at Iona yesterday to begin conference play. Manhattan remains winless on the year at 0-13.
This afternoon at Draddy Gymnasium, the Stags were led by a team-high 11 kills on .381 (11-3-21) hitting by Kaitlyn Fisher. The junior has posted double-digit kills in three matches on the right side this fall, as well as three matches with nine finishers.
“Fish is developing into a go-to scorer for us on the offensive side. She has been scoring critical points down the stretch in sets, and that opens up the rest of the net for us.”
Skyler Day joined Fisher in double figures with 10 kills from the outside. Sonja Radulovic added six kills and Luci Albertson registered five from the middle. Kaylie Butts chipped in with three kills and Nora Quinn rounded out the attack with two.
The offense was managed by Manuela Nicolini, who distributed 32 assists while running the Stags to a season-high .226 hitting percentage. Nicolini also dumped over three kills of her own from the setter position.
In addition to her half-dozen kills, Radulovic led by the back row with 12 digs and Taylor Rudeen added 11 from the libero spot. Day contributed seven digs, and Nicolini posted five. The effort at the net was guided by Albertson and Nicolini, who each had a hand in four of Fairfield’s eight blocks. All told, the Stags limited Manhattan to a .141 team hitting percentage.
After landing a season-best 10 aces in yesterday’s win at Iona, the Stags dropped in eight more winners today against the Jaspers. Albertson, Nicolini, Radulovic and Rudeen each served up two aces this afternoon.
Sandra Lozanova led Manhattan offensively with 10 kills, while Erin Hoener had six kills on .417 hitting (6-1-12). Taylor Hasley and Zoe Lindsey shared setting duties and finished with 14 and 11 assists, respectively, and Alyssa Rehrer had a team-leading 10 digs for the host Jaspers.
Up next, conference action comes to George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall next weekend for a visit from MAAC Volleyball’s New Jersey contingent – Rider and Saint Peter’s – on Sept. 23-24. Both matches will be broadcast live on the Stags Sports Network.
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