Box Score

BERKELEY, Calif.  – The Fairfield University volleyball team opened its 2011 campaign with a tough 3-0 (20-25, 16-25, 19-25) loss to FIU this evening in the first match of the Cal Molten Classic at Haas Pavilion.

 

In their rookie debuts, Caitlin Stapleton, Camille Coffey, and Marilyn Peizer each posted seven kills to lead Fairfield. Junior Brianna Dixion added six kills and six digs while sophomore Rachel Romansky had 18 assists and eight digs.

 

Freshman Lindsay Weaver had three blocks in her first collegiate match while redshirt freshman Carsen Mata had nine digs and six assists in her debut. Junior Kara Reis added eight digs.

 

The Stags (0-1) erased an early deficit in the first set, using a 9-3 run to open up a 15-11 lead. After Stapleton gave Fairfield a 17-13 advantage with a kill, the Golden Panthers (1-0) rallied back, overtaking the Stags, 19-18, on an ace by Marija Prsa. The ace was just part of an impressive 12-3 run in which FIU used to close out the frame.

 

The Golden Panthers carried that momentum into the second set, opening up a 14-8 lead. FIU was able to extend its lead to as much as eight points before Dixion stopped the run with a kill. The Golden Panthers closed out the set on a 5-1 run for the 25-16 victory.

 

The third set was much closer with nine ties and seven lead changes. Trailing 13-12, FIU's Sabrina Gonzalez delivered a kill to tie the score and the Golden Panthers were able to extend their lead to 16-14. Peizer answered with a kill of her own to make it a one-point game but an 8-1 burst by FIU made the score 24-16. The Stags held off match point three times before FIU was able to put it away.

 

Fairfield continues action at the Cal Molten Classic tomorrow, August 27. The Stags face No. 3 Cal at 11am (PST) followed by UC Riverside at 5pm (PST).