Box Score

HAMILTON, N.Y. – The Fairfield University volleyball team was tipped by the University of Rhode Island 3-1 (25-20, 25-23, 23-25, 25-6) during the Stags' season opener at the Colgate Classic. Sophomore Brianna Dixion (Long Beach, Calif.) led the way for the Stags with 15 kills.

In their Fairfield debuts, setter Rachel Romansky (Denver, Colo.) had 25 assists to go along with seven kills and seven digs while middle blocker Hayley Moyer (Riverside, Calif.) finished with five kills and three total blocks.

Junior Haililani Pokipala (Honolulu, Hawaii) added 10 digs and seven kills while classmate Kendal Dirkin (Oak Park, Ill.) had eight kills. Sophomore Kara Reis (Ramona, Calif.) had 10 digs defensively for the Stags.

Rhode Island (1-0) came out strong in the first set, opening up an 11-1 lead to start. Fairfield narrowed the gap to 24-20 late in the set, but the Rams held on for the win. In the second set, the score was tied 17-17 when URI used a 4-0 run to gain ground. The Stags later pulled within 24-23 on a kill by Pokipala but the Rams were able to post set point.

Fairfield won its first set of the season in the third stanza, taking it 25-23. The Stags opened the frame with a 7-2 run and would maintain the lead the rest of the way. The Rams held a slight 6-5 advantage in the fourth set, but then managed to rattle off 15-straight points to put the match away.

The Stags (0-1) continue action at the Colgate Classic this evening as they take on Syracuse at 7pm.