Box Score

DURHAM, N.C. – The Fairfield University volleyball team opened their 2012 season with a tough 3-1 (17-25, 25-22, 20-25, 21-25) loss to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee during the first day of action at the Duke Invitational in Cameron Indoor.
 
Senior Brianna Dixion started off her final season as a Stag with a 12-kill effort. She is now 48 kills away from the 1,000th of her career. Junior Rachel Romansky posted a double-double with 36 assists and 11 digs to go along with six kills.
 
Sophomores Lindsay Weaver, Camille Coffey, and Caitlin Stapleton each finished with six kills while Coffey added 15 digs. Senior Kara Reis registered 12 digs.
 
In the opening set, Fairfield kept it close pulling within 10-9. UW-Milwaukee, the defending Horizon League champions, countered with a 12-4 run to surge out to a 22-13 lead. The Panthers went on to the 25-17 win. The Stags began to settle in during the second set. With the score tied 12-12, Milwaukee registered three consecutive points. Fairfield, however, battled back as Weaver tied the score, 18-18, with a kill while Dixion gave the Stags the lead with a kill of her own. Fairfield continued to roll, opening up a 23-20 advantage on a kill by Stapleton. The Stags went on to the 25-22 victory to even the match at one set apiece.
 
Fairfield took command at the beginning of the third set, opening up a 9-5 lead on back-to-back kills by Dixion. Milwaukee responded with a run and tied the set, 10-10, on an ace by Maisey Mulvey. The Stags returned the lead to two points, but the Panthers tied it up at 12-12. Fairfield was leading 16-15 when Milwaukee's Julie Kolinske delivered three-straight kills. The Panthers extended their lead to 20-16 on another kill from Kolinske. Fairfield chipped away, pulling within 20-18, but Milwaukee was able to hold them off for the 25-20 win.
 
The Stags worked the Panthers to an 11-11 tie in the fourth set, but Milwaukee used a quick 3-0 run to gain ground and force a Fairfield time out. The Stags would later pull within 16-14 on a kill by freshman Nicole Marzik but the Panthers countered with a 5-0 run to put the frame out of reach.
 
Marzik had a pair of kills in her debut with the Stags. For Milwaukee, four Panthers notched double-digit kills including Kolinske who recorded a double-double with a match-high 19 kills and 11 digs.
 
Fairfield continues play at the Duke Invitational tomorrow. The Stags face the host Blue Devils at 10am followed by the College of William & Mary at 5pm. Live Stats are available for tomorrow's matches.