Box Score FAIRFIELD, Conn. – For the second time this season, the Fairfield University volleyball team erased a 2-0 deficit en route to a five-set victory. On Friday night at Alumni Hall, it was crosstown rival Sacred Heart that was unable to put the Stags away. Led by 19 kills from Skyler Day and a double-double from Megan Theiller, Fairfield notched the win in its non-conference finale by set scores of 21-25, 18-25, 25-19, 25-19 and 15-12.
Previously this fall, Fairfield (11-9) climbed out of a 2-0 hole to upend host Marist in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action on Oct. 11.
Tonight, Skyler Day's 19 kills led all players. Her performance was highlighted by seven finishers in the fourth set as Fairfield staged another comeback, storming back from an 11-3 margin to force the deciding fifth frame. Day added six digs in the back row.
Theiller's double-double – her seventh of the season – consisted of 10 kills and 15 digs.
Megan O'Sullivan helmed the middle of the Fairfield rotation, recording a pair of season bests with 14 kills and seven blocks.
Rounding out the offense for the Stags were freshmen Kaitlyn Fisher and Oyinkansola Akinola with six and five kills, respectively. Akinola also matched her career high with a hand in eight blocks as the Stags totaled 15 send-backs in the contest.
The attack was run through setter Sydney Buckley, who set a personal career standardfor the second consecutive night with 44 assists while guiding Fairfield to a .190 hitting percentage.
Taylor Rudeen registered a match-high 21 digs from the libero position. Buckley added eight digs, Bella Guanciale had seven and Day chipped in with six. The Stags limited the visiting Pioneers to a .124 hitting percentage, including an even .000 clip in sets three and five.
Sacred Heart (12-9), which currently sits atop the standings in the Northeast Conference, had four hitters with double-figure kills. Sarah Knufka and Tori Kemper paced the Pioneers with 12 finishers apiece. Lila Palmer completed a double-double with 11 kills and 11 digs, and Katie Direnzo sent home 10 kills.
Kiki Robinson also recorded a double-double for the visitors with 23 assists and a team-best 15 digs.
In addition to wrapping up the non-conference portion of the Stags' schedule, tonight's contest marked a return to Alumni Hall following a five-match road stretch. Fairfield, which is now in the midst of a four-match residency on its home court, is back in action next weekend as Canisius and Niagara come to town on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.
