Megan Theiller and Hadley Orr combined to hit .396 as the Fairfield volleyball team swept the Rider Broncs for the second time this season.  The Stags limited the Broncs to under 20 points in every set (25-18, 25-18, 25-17).  The Stags also hit a season-high .327 in the match.

“Today was a great example of team volleyball,” Head Coach Todd Kress said.  “Our attackers were able to take aggressive swings because of the fight in coverage behind them.  Carsen Mata did a great job of running the offense as indicated by our .327 hitting percentage.”

Fairfield (11-10, 7-4 MAAC) took awhile to find their offensive energy, falling behind Rider (12-11, 6-4 MAAC) 6-1 early in the first set.  After a Fairfield timeout, the Stags were able to tie the set twice, before taking the lead for good after a Bronc attack error made the score 12-11.  The Stags only hit five attack errors in the game, hitting .229.  Megan O'Sullivan had two block solos in the set which was a match-high.  The Broncs did manage six block assists compared to zero for the Stags.

The Stags would improve their hitting percentage in every set, hitting .306 in the second frame. Fairfield would only need to retake the lead once, after an Orr kill made the score 9-8. Fairfield would not trail again in the match.  The outside hitting combination of Orr and Theiller accounted for nine kills on a .438 hitting percentage.

“That was our best performance at the pins in a long time,” Kress said.  “Hadley looked like a true L1 and Theiller had another consistent effort.”

In the second frame, Rider's Jaclyn Webber recorded her 1,000th career kill.  Webber is already part of the Broncs' 1,000 dig club.

The Stags jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the third set and didn't look back.  Fairfield totaled 17 kills on just two errors for a .455 hitting percentage. Orr, Theiller, and Lindsay Weaver combined for 10 kills without a miscue.

Fairfield also showed improvement on passing, allowing just two service aces to the Broncs.  Orr and Theiller had a match-high 11 kills while Mata had 39 assists on just 80 attempts.  Camille Coffey totaled a match-high 14 digs and was a perfect 23-23 receiving serves.  Theiller was also a perfect 15-15 in receiving Broncs serves and is now 58 for her last 58 in that category.

The Stags, who won their 14th straight against Rider at Alumni Hall will be back in action tomorrow when they welcome Saint Peter's.