Box Score


NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Fairfield University volleyball team has its eight-match winning streak snapped this afternoon as the Stags were edged to first-place Niagara University 3-1 (25-19, 19-25, 23-25, 21-25).
 
The Purple Eagles (17-7) remained undefeated in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) play while the Stags (12-9) move to 9-2 in league play with both losses coming to Niagara.
 
Sophomore Rachel Romansky and senior Haililani Pokipala  each recorded double-doubles while several other Stags notched double-digits. Romansky posted a career-high 25 digs and 38 assists for her ninth double-double of the year. Pokipala tallied 10 kills and 15 digs for her second double-double of the season.
 
Freshman Caitlin Stapleton and senior Kendal Dirkin tallied 13 kills apiece. Stapleton added four total blocks and four digs while Dirkin notched a .444 attack percentage and three digs. Junior Kara Reis added 21 digs.
 
Fairfield got off to a strong start in the opening stanza, pulling out to a 9-2 lead on a kill by junior Brianna Dixion. The Stags grounded the Purple Eagles throughout the rest of the set and closed out the game on a 7-2 run for the 25-18 victory.
 
Niagara responded in the second set by pulling out to a 13-6 lead on a kill by Hannah Hedrick. The Stags did not back down, rallying to tie the score, 16-16, before an ace by Carsen Mata gave Fairfield the lead. A Stags attack error on the next serve, however, tipped the momentum into the Purple Eagles' favor as they used a 5-0 run to put the frame out of reach.
 
The two teams battled it out in the third set with seven ties and three lead changes. Trailing 21-19, Niagara was able to mount a comeback pulling ahead 22-21 after a pair of Stags attack errors. Amanda Wilken put Niagara up 24-22, but Pokipala held off set point with a kill. Hedrick countered with a kill of her own to give Niagara the win.
 
The fourth set was close in the early going with eight ties and four lead changes. Niagara was able to pull away from Fairfield midway through the frame behind a 6-2 run. Stapleton made it a two-point set, 22-20, with a kill but the Purple Eagles closed out the match on a 3-1 run.
 
Fairfield continues MAAC play tomorrow, October 23, when the Stags travel to Canisius College for a 2pm start.