FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University volleyball team began defense of their consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) titles with a 3-0 (25-23, 25-16, 25-20) victory over Iona College in the league opener for both schools at Alumni Hall. Freshman Megan Theiller posted her third double-double of the season with 11 kills and 14 digs.

Sophomore Megan O'Sullivan had nine kills and five total blocks while senior Marilyn Peizer had nine kills, including the 600th of her career, and five digs. Senior Lindsay Weaver had a solid day with six kills, two blocks, two digs, and an ace. Setter Carsen Mata tallied 22 assists while senior Camille Coffey notched 12 digs.

In the first set, Fairfield opened up an 18-14 lead after an ace by Weaver. Iona surged back, tying the score 19-19 on a kill by Catrina Warren. With the score tied, 23-23, Theiller put the Stags ahead with a kill. She then stepped to the line and served the final point of the frame which was a kill by O'Sullivan.

Fairfield dominated in the second stanza as Mata served the first seven points of the set. Iona cut the gap to 19-14, but a cross-court blast by Peizer ignited a 4-0 Fairfield run. The Stags rolled to the 25-16 win.

The Gaels held an early lead in the third set. But, with the score tied, 8-8, a kill by Theiller started a quick 3-0 burst to swing momentum. Fairfield opened up a 21-16 lead on a block by Weaver and O'Sullivan but Iona narrowed the gap to 21-19. After a Stags timeout, a kill by O'Sullivan was the first of three unanswered points for the Stags. After a kill by Iona's Shannon Ward made it 24-20, O'Sullivan closed out the match with a kills.

Fairfield (5-6; 1-0 MAAC) held Iona (3-9; 0-1 MAAC) to a .074 attack percentage and held a 7-4 advantage in blocks. Warren had a match-high 12 kills.

The win was the 99th at Fairfield for Head Coach Todd Kress who is in the first season of his second stint at the helm of the Stags.

Fairfield continues MAAC action in Alumni Hall on Sunday, September 21, when it hosts Manhattan at 1pm.