Box Score NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University volleyball team fell in a five-set decision this afternoon at Iona. The loss snaps a three-match winning streak for the Stags, who are in the midst of a five-match road swing through the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
The host Gaels took the match by scores of 25-22, 21-25, 26-28, 25-21 and 15-11.
“I give all of the credit to Iona today,” said Head Coach Todd Kress. “I thought they looked hungry for a win and played like it. They didn't miss defensive assignments and kept the ball in play to win the long rallies. I enjoyed watching their fight and effort in tough situations.”
Skyler Day led the Stags on the afternoon, recording her sixth consecutive double-double – and ninth overall this season – with 20 kills and 16 digs. Oyinkansola Akinola added 14 kills from the right side, and Megan O'Sullivan sent home a dozen from the middle. Sydney Williams and Kaitlyn Fisher chipped in with seven kills apiece, and Chanel Cooper collected five.
The Fairfield attack, which hit .121 on the day, was run through Kiley Lingenfelter and Sydney Buckley with 31 and 29 assists, respectively. Buckley also notched a kill from the setter position.
Defensively, Taylor Rudeen picked up a match-best 28 digs, and Bella Guanciale had 16. O'Sullivan, Akinola and Williams each had a hand in two of the Stags' four blocks.
Fairfield also notched eight points from the serving games, led by five aces from Rudeen. Guanciale landed two winners in the match and Day dropped in one.
Iona was led by Claire Archibald, who matched Day's statline with 20 kills and 16 digs. Emma Roe and Natalie Ziskin shared setting duties, doling out 26 and 14 assists, respectively, while running the Gaels' offense at a .159 clip. Jessica Paolucci had a team-best 23 digs for Iona, and Karly White was a part of eight of the club's 13 blocks.
The Stags conclude their five-match road trip on Thursday, Oct. 22 with a visit to their closest MAAC foe – the Quinnipiac Bobcats. After beginning the second round of MAAC play in Hamden, Fairfield returns to Alumni Hall to conclude the non-conference slate with a 7 p.m. visit from crosstown rival Sacred Heart on Friday, Oct. 23.
