PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Fairfield University volleyball team opened play at the Brown Invitational with a quick 3-0 (25-16, 25-21, 25-16) victory over UMass Lowell this evening. Seniors Caitlin Stapleton and Marilyn Peizer paced the Stags with nine kills apiece.

Stapleton hit .471 on the night, converting nine of her 17 swings for kills with just one error. She also added two total blocks.

Reigning ECAC and MAAC Rookie of the Week Megan Theiller had eight digs and five kills. Setter Carsen Mata had 27 of the Stags' 30 assists with five digs and two kills. Senior libero Camille Coffey had 13 digs.

In the first set, the River Hawks had pulled within 8-7 when senior Lindsay Weaver sparked a 7-2 run for the Stags with a kill. It was one of four kills in the set for Weaver. That was all the room Fairfield needed as it cruised to the 25-16 win.

The second set was closer with 12 ties and six lead changes. With the score knotted at 21-21, Theiller and Maddie FitzPatrick came up with a big block to change momentum. The block was the first of four unanswered points the Stags used to win the set, 25-21.

Fairfield carried the momentum into the third stanza, hitting .346 with 12 kills and just three errors. With the score tied 9-9, a kill by Peizer ignited a 6-0 run for the Stags. Fairfield never looked back, rolling to the 25-16 win.

Fairfield had six service aces on the night and held UMass Lowell to an attack percentage of .098.

The victory marked Head Coach Todd Kress' 98th win at the helm of the Stags. Kress is in his first season of his second stint as head coach of the Fairfield volleyball program. During his first go-round with the Stags from 1995 to 1998, Kress posted a 94-45 record.

Fairfield (4-4) continues action at the Brown Invitational tomorrow. The Stags open with Central Connecticut at 9am followed by Liberty at 5pm.