Box Score FAIRFIELD, Conn. – At the close of the regular season, the Fairfield University volleyball team stands alone atop the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings. The Stags secured sole possession of the MAAC regular season crown at 14-4 in conference play after this afternoon's 3-1 victory over Iona at Alumni Hall.
Fairfield's 14-4 MAAC record, which is part of a 19-9 overall mark, puts the Stags one game ahead of second-place Marist (13-5). The Stags had already secured the top seed in the MAAC Championship with yesterday's sweep of Manhattan, having earned the tiebreaker over the Red Foxes via wins in both of their regular season meetings.
“Not often does a team lose two on the opening weekend of conference play and bounce back to win the regular season championship,” said Head Coach Todd Kress, who coached his program-record 198th match at Fairfield today. “We are all proud of that accomplishment, but there is still far much more work to be done. We are looking forward to the week of preparation and to the upcoming weekend.”
The regular season title is the Stags' 15th in the past 20 seasons. Fairfield has reached 20 consecutive MAAC postseason tournaments and has won the MAAC crown on seven occasions, including two during Kress's first stint as the Stags' head coach in 1997 and 1998.
Today's win over the Gaels, which came by scores of 20-25, 25-14, 25-15 and 25-20, also ran Fairfield's winning streak to 10 matches. The streak began with a sweep at Quinnipiac on Oct. 22 and has included wins over all nine MAAC foes as well as a five-set victory over crosstown rival Sacred Heart.
The win also wrapped up the Stags' home slate with an 11-2 record at Alumni Hall, including an 8-1 tally in MAAC play. Fairfield is 125-10 (.926) on its home court in conference play over last 20 seasons.
Megan O'Sullivan continued her strong play in the middle this afternoon, leading the way on both sides of the net. Offensively, the junior sent home 14 kills on .565 hitting (14-1-23); on the defensive end, she had a hand in six of Fairfield's 10 blocks and picked up five digs.
Skyler Day also had 14 kills for the Stags, rounding out her 16th double-double of the season – and seventh in a row – with a career-high 20 digs. Megan Theiller's fifth consecutive double-double – 13th of the fall – consisted of 13 kills and 16 digs.
Oyinkansola Akinola added 12 kills for Fairfield while hitting a career-best .429 (12-3-21). The rookie was also a part of three Fairfield blocks. Fellow freshman added five kills to round out the offense and, on the defensive side, elevated for four send-backs.
Sydney Buckley dished out 50 assists for the Stags, running the offense to a .269 clip. The sophomore setter also picked up seven digs.
In addition to Fairfield's 10 blocks at the net, the Stags were sound in the back row where Taylor Rudeen nabbed 19 digs from the libero spot and Mallory Bechtold picked up seven digs. The defensive effort limited Iona to a .145 hitting percentage.
“We did just enough to get by today, and we all understand that our effort and discipline must improve tenfold going into next weekend,” commented Kress. “The tournament field is deeper than ever in the MAAC, and any of the six teams can take home the championship. It should be a great weekend of volleyball.”
As the top seed in the MAAC Championship, which is set for Nov. 20-22 at Siena's Alumni Recreation Center, the Stags have earned a bye to Saturday's semifinal round. Fairfield will play the winner of the matchup between fourth-seeded Manhattan and fifth-seeded Rider.
Additional information about the Stags' 20th consecutive MAAC postseason trip will be available on FairfieldStags.com as details are announced by the conference office.
