NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. -  For the second straight weekend a Fairfield volleyball player has reached a monumental milestone.  This time it was senior Caitlin Stapleton who recorded her 1,000th career kill, becoming just the 12th Stag all-time to reach that feat.  Stapleton tallied a match-high 14 kills as the Stags defeated Niagara 3-1 (25-20, 17-25, 25-16, 25-19).

"First, it's great for Cait and the entire team to have her back on the court," Head Coach Todd Kress said.  "Her presence means a lot to the entire team.  For her to get her 1,000th kill in her first full weekend back and a big team win is great."

Fairfield (10-10, 6-4 MAAC) dominated the game at the net recording 14 team blocks including a career-high five block solos by Megan O'Sullivan.  Hadley Orr also contributed above the net with three block solos.

"Our offensive numbers show that today was another team win," Coach Kress said.  "We are at our best when all 13 are involved in the gameplan and energy.  Today was a testament to that and a big bounce back win after yesterday."

The Stags led the first set for nearly the entire frame and did not trail since a Megan Theiller kill gave the squad a 6-5 lead.  Fairfield extended the lead to six after a Niagara (8-12, 4-5 MAAC) attack error gave the road team a 13-7 advantage.  The Purple Eagles went on a 10-4 run to tie the stanza at 17-17, but two kills from Orr and three errors from the home side gave Fairfield the opening frame.  Stapleton led the way with five kills on a .444 hitting percentage and Camille Coffey tallied six digs. 

Fairfield was once again tied in the second set with the scoreboard reading 16-16.  Five different Stags recorded a kill during that span, and Orr notched one of her two service aces of the match.  However, Niagara dominated the set after an Alex Stone killed ignited a 9-1 run to close the frame.  Two Niagara players notched four kills in the stanza with Stone and Melissa McGwin reaching that number.

After tallying nine errors in the second set, the Stags responded in the third and would end up hitting .222 in the frame with 13 kills and four blocks.  O'Sullivan tallied two block solos in the frame.  After Theiller found the hardwood to make the score 6-5, the Stags would not look back and win the set by nine points, their largest lead of the game.  Four different student-athletes recorded a kill without committing an error.  Theiller, O'Sullivan, Orr, and Lindsay Weaver combined for nine kills without a miscue.

The Stags would not trail in the fourth set, even though Niagara was able to tie the game five times.  An Orr kill broke the final tie and gave the Stags a 12-11 lead.  O'Sullivan was a perfect 4-4 with four kills on four swings.  Carsen Mata notched 15 assists, an ace, and a kill in the frame.  Almost on cue, Stapleton gave the final kill to give Fairfield the 3-1 victory.

Niagara, who came into the weekend winners of three of their last four, lost their sixth straight against the Stags.  In the match, Stapleton had a match-high 14 kills and finished the weekend averaging 3.6 kills per set.

Theiller had a good and balanced match with 10 kills, 16 digs, and was a perfect 43-43 receiving serves.  Mata also tallied a double-double with 47 assists and 10 digs. 

Fairfield will return home next weekend when they welcome the Rider Broncs and Saint Peter's Peacocks during Alumni Weekend.