NEW YORK – The Fairfield University volleyball team closed out action at the Columbia Invitational tonight with a tough 3-1 (17-25, 19-25, 25-21, 18-25) loss to the undefeated host Lions. Senior Marilyn Peizer tied a career-high with 20 kills while classmate Lindsay Weaver posted a season-high 10 kills.

Setter Carsen Mata and freshman Megan Theiller were both named to the All-Tournament Team. Mata had two double-doubles in three matches, averaging 11.33 assists and 2.50 digs with four aces and five total blocks. Theiller also had two double-doubles and averaged 4.50 digs, including two 20-dig efforts, and 2.92 kills per set. Against the Lions, Mata had 45 assists and three total blocks. Theiller had 20 digs, tying a career-high, and seven kills.

It was close in the early going for the opening set, but Columbia (3-0) used an 8-2 to run to pull away from Fairfield. Weaver stopped the run with a kill to make the score, 21-14, but the Lions were able to come away with a 25-17 win.

In the second set, Columbia was holding a 14-9 lead when Fairfield came storming back. A kill by Megan O'Sullivan got the 5-0 run started while senior Caitlin Stapleton capped it off with a set-tying kill. The Lions countered with a quick 6-1 run to pull away. The Stags cut it to 20-18 but Columbia closed out the set with a 5-1 run.

The Stags got back on track in the third set. Fairfield overcame an early four-point deficit to tie the set at 12-12 after a kill by Weaver. Columbia got two quick points to regain the lead, but a kill by Peizer ignited a crucial 5-1 run for the Stags. The Lions closed the gap to 22-21, but Fairfield posted three unanswered points for the 25-21 win.

In the fourth set, Columbia led from nearly the start, working its way out to a 19-14 advantage. The Stags pulled within three points on a kill by O'Sullivan, but Columbia fended them off for the 25-18 win.

Stapleton finished with eight kills and three total blocks while O'Sullivan had five kills and four total blocks. Senior Camille Coffey added 15 digs.

Fairfield (3-4) plays its final tournament of the season next week at the Brown Invitational. The Stags face UMass Lowell on September 12 at 5pm. The following day, Fairfield takes on Central Connecticut at 10am followed by Liberty at 7pm. The Stags will play their first home match of the year on September 20 when they host Iona to begin defense of their two-consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) titles.