ALBUQUERQUE – Skyler Day had 12 kills to cement her spot on the All-Tournament Team, but the Fairfield University volleyball team was swept by host New Mexico to conclude action at the UNM Invitational.
The Stags (1-3) were topped by set scores of 25-14, 25-17 and 25-17. Earlier in the day, Fairfield swept Abilene Christian to earn its first win of the young campaign after falling to Idaho and Arizona State on Friday.
“This weekend consisted of many ups and down,” said co-captain Megan Theiller. “There are always going to be bumps in the road, but what is most important is how we react as a team in these situations. I see this weekend as a learning experience for us, and I look forward to getting back to work in practice this week.”
Day represented Fairfield on the All-Tournament Team after averaging 4.00 kills and 2.38 digs in 13 sets of action. The 2016 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year added three blocks and a service ace during the weekend.
In tonight's match against the Lobos, Day's dozen kills led all players. The Fairfield offense was supplemented by six finishers from Theiller, four from Megan O'Sullivan and three apiece off the swings of Oyinkansola Akinola and Mayda Garcia. Rounding out the attack were Sydney Williams with two kills and Sydney Buckley and Kaitlyn Fisher with one apiece.
Buckley dished out 10 assists from the setter spot, and Manuela Nicolini handed out 19 helpers. Nicolini picked up a team-leading five digs to aid the defensive effort.
Also in the back row, Day and Theiller each had four digs against the high-powered New Mexico offense, with Buckley and Taylor Rudeen registering three apiece.
The Lobos' offense, which hit .341 for the match, was led by 10 kills by Lauren Twitty. Carson Heilborn distributed 30 assists for the hosts, and Ashley Kelsey had a match-best 12 digs. At the net, J'Kaylee Clark had a hand in five of New Mexico's seven team blocks.
The Stags hung tough in the opening set, building a 7-5 lead fueled by kills from four different players. But after New Mexico crept in front by a 12-11 count, the Lobos finished the frame on a 13-3 run to take an early advantage in the match.
The hosts continued their momentum in the second stanza, winning the first five rallies en route to an 11-4 advantage. Though the Stags climbed back to within two points at 16-14, New Mexico staged the set's final run to take the frame, 25-17, and earn a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Lobos once again took a 5-0 lead to begin set three, and this time the advantage grew as large 12 points. Trailing 21-9, Fairfield made a final push led by two kills apiece from O'Sullivan and Day, but the deficit proved insurmountable as New Mexico capped the sweep with a 25-17 win.
“We're grateful for the opportunity to come out to New Mexico and compete, and now we will shift our focus to improving both physically and mentally moving forward,” added co-captain Megan O'Sullivan.
The Stags are back on the court in the Northeast next weekend for four matches at Holy Cross in an all-New England affair. Action at the Crusader Classic begins on Sept. 2 against Brown and Bryant followed by meetings with UMass Lowell and Holy Cross on Sept. 3.
Action comes to George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall for the first time in 2016 on Sept. 9-10 for the Fairfield Invitational. The Stags will host Sacred Heart, James Madison and Villanova in the two-day, round-robin event.
