WORCESTER, Mass. – The Fairfield University volleyball team had another strong showing in the evening session of the Crusader Classic, earning its second sweep of the day with a straight-set win over Bryant. The Stags took a 3-0 victory from Brown earlier in the day.
“Today was a step in the right direction from a team perspective,” said Head Coach Todd Kress of the Stags' pair of victories. “We played better team defense and served with a purpose. Offensively, we've started to make better decisions and get more people involved in transition. We all agree that there were still too many loose points today, and we will look to clean that up moving forward.”
With the win over the Bulldogs, Fairfield evens its 2016 record at 3-3. Bryant, which lost in five sets to UMass Lowell earlier in the day, completes its first day of action in Worcester with an overall mark of 2-5. The Stags took the match by set scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-15.
Megan Theiller posted a double-double to lead the Stags, notching 11 kills and 11 digs. Also on the outside, Skyler Day registered a match-high 12 kills for the second straight contest and added seven digs to the defensive effort.
Megan O'Sullivan also reached double figures with 11 kills on 17 swings to post a .529 hitting percentage (11-2-17). Oyinkansola Akinola turned in an efficient day offensively with four kills on eight attempts (4-1-8, .375). In total, the pair guided the Stags to a .299 hitting percentage for the match – including a scorching .407 performance in the third frame.
Sydney Buckley and Manuela Nicolini managed the offense as Fairfield's dual setters. Buckley distributed a match-best 23 assists, while Nicolini dished out 12 to go along with two kills of her own.
Defensively, Akinola had a hand in all four of Fairfield's blocks, including a pair of solo send-backs. Nicolini and Sydney Williams also each got a piece of a rejection at the net. In the back row, Mallory Bechtold picked up 10 digs. All told, the Stags limited Bryant to a .107 hitting percentage in the contest.
Day served up two of Fairfield's five service aces with Theiller, O'Sullivan and Bechtold each adding one winner to round out the scoring.
Sara Depouw had seven kills for the Bulldogs. Bryant's offense was helmed by 16 assists from Kirstyn Sperry, and Erica Vendituoli led the back row with eight digs.
The Stags wrap up the Crusader Classic tomorrow with two more matches against New England foes. Fairfield meets UMass Lowell and noon and challenges host Holy Cross at 5:30 p.m. The contest with the Crusaders will be streamed live on the Patriot League Network.
