RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Fairfield University volleyball team extended its winning streak to 14 matches on Sunday, taking a 3-1 decision at host Manhattan. The Stags moved to 13-0 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play with the win by set scores of 27-25, 25-15, 23-25 and 27-25.
Win the win, the Stags (20-5, 13-0 MAAC) claimed their 14th 20-win season overall and the fifth 20-win campaign in seven seasons led by Head Coach Todd Kress. Manhattan falls to 9-18 overall and 5-8 in the MAAC.
The Stags were led this afternoon by 22 kills and 11 digs from Skyler Day, as well as a 21-kill performance on .436 hitting from Megan Theiller. Megan O'Sullivan added 13 kills from the middle while swinging at a .357 clip. Rounding out the offense, Kaitlyn Fisher had six kills and Nora Quinn added four.
The duo of Sydney Buckley and Manuela Nicolini ran the offense the tune of 29 and 24 assists, respectively. Nicolini had three kills on three swings of her own and Buckley had one finisher as the offense swung at a .281 clip.
Defensively, Mallory Bechtold shared the match high with 23 digs to go along with eight assists from the libero spot. She was one of four Stags in double figures in digs as Buckley notched 19 to complete a double-double, Day recorded 11 and Taylor Rudeen posted 10.
At the net, Quinn led the way with a hand in six of Fairfield's 11.5 total blocks. O'Sullivan was a part of five send-backs while Fisher and Nicolini each had a hand in three rejections. In total, the Stags' defensive effort limited Manhattan to a .171 hitting percentage.
The Jaspers were led by 16 kills from Sandra Lozanova, while Milena Janjusevic recorded a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs. Zoe Lindsey recorded 49 assists organizing the Manhattan offense, and Allie Yamashiro matched Bechtold with 23 digs.
Fairfield is back in action next weekend as Rider and Saint Peter's come to Alumni Hall on Oct. 29-30. First serve in both MAAC outings from George Bisacca Court is slated for 1 p.m.