Box Score FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Fairfield University volleyball team put together one of its best offensive performances of the season en route to a 3-0 sweep of Saint Peter's on Saturday afternoon at Alumni Hall. The Stags registered their best single-match hitting percentage since the 2012 campaign on their way to a win by set scores of 25-15, 25-9 and 25-12.
As a unit, the Stags (6-7, 2-2 MAAC) hit .380 – Fairfield's best hitting percentage since swinging at a .398 clip in a sweep of then-MAAC foe Loyola Maryland on Nov. 4, 2012. That effort was sparked by six kills on eight errorless attempts from Kaitlyn Fisher and a match-best 13 kills on .667 hitting (13-1-18) from fellow freshman Chanel Cooper.
Additionally, Skyler Day registered a double-double on the outside with 10 kills (10-2-20, .400) and a match-leading 12 digs. The sophomore also dropped in three service aces for the Stags.
Megan Theiller and Oyinkansola Akinola each added seven kills, while Kiley Lingenfelter, Hadley Orr and Sydney Williams rounded out the Fairfield attack with one finisher apiece.
The Stags' potent attack was run through Lingenfelter and Sydney Buckley, who distributed 22 and 15 assists, respectively. The setting duo guided Fairfield to a hitting percentage over .340 in each set, including a scorching .429 rate (14-2-28) in the second frame.
“Both setters did a nice job of distributing the ball today and got the middles and opposites much more involved in the transition game,” said Head Coach Todd Kress.
In addition to Day's 12 digs in the back row, Mallory Bechtold added 10 digs in two sets of work at the libero spot. Lingenfelter chipped in with eight digs, and Taylor Rudeen added seven.
At the net, Akinola had a hand in a match-best four of the Stags' five team blocks, while Fisher and Nora Quinn were each a part of three send-backs. The Fairfield defensive effort limited Saint Peter's to a .011 hitting percentage.
“I was proud of our effort defensively,” added Kress. “We looked more committed to team defense today than we have previously. This match was a positive step forward as we head deeper into the MAAC schedule.”
Lauren Behrens led Saint Peter's (2-11, 0-4 MAAC) with five kills and nine digs.
The Stags also celebrated Dig Pink as a part of today's match as a fundraising initiative in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. All proceeds for the event will benefit the Side-Out Foundation.
Tomorrow afternoon, Fairfield finishes off the weekend and looks to go 3-0 in a three-match homestand as Rider comes to Alumni Hall for a 1 p.m. contest. The Broncs are the lone unbeaten team in MAAC play, improving to 5-0 in the conference and 10-9 overall after a straight-set win at Quinnipiac today.
