FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After opening the MAAC slate with a pair of road wins this past weekend, conference action comes to George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall for the first time in 2016 as the Fairfield University volleyball team hosts Manhattan and Iona. First serve for both the Saturday meeting with the Jaspers and the Sunday clash with the Gaels is slated for 1 p.m.
The Stags' road wins at Saint Peter's and Rider extended their overall win streak to three matches. The run began last Wednesday when Fairfield hosted and defeated Big East foe St. John's. For her performance in the trio of victories, Kaitlyn Fisher was tabbed as the MAAC Player of the Week for the first time in her career. Fisher, who made her first three starts of the year last week, averaged 2.42 kills per set with a scorching .444 hitting percentage (29-5-54) and was equally as effective defensively, piling up 1.17 blocks per set.
After reeling of three consecutive wins, Fairfield stands at 9-5 overall. There are already just four unbeaten teams in the MAAC – including the 2-0 Stags – in the early stages of the 2016 conference slate.
Statistically, Fairfield tops the MAAC in kills per set (13.31), assists per set (12.48) and digs per set (14.56). The Stags also rank second in hitting percentage at .216, trailing only upstart Quinnipiac (11-5, 3-0 MAAC) at .221. Individually, Megan Theiller and Skyler Day lead the MAAC with 3.69 and 3.60 kills per frame, respectively. Mallory Bechtold has helmed the back row from the libero spot en route to ranking sixth in the conference with 4.18 digs per set.
The Stags hit the road to continue MAAC play on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Marist before returning to the familiar confines of Alumni Hall to host Niagara and Canisius on Oct. 1-2.
Fairfield vs. Manhattan
Saturday, Sept. 24 | 1 p.m.
Live Stats
After an 0-10 start to the 2016 campaign, the Manhattan Jaspers will come to Alumni Hall riding a four-match winning streak. Manhattan opened its MAAC slate with a 3-1 win over Iona last week and then topped St. Francis Brooklyn, Lafayette and NJIT at a weekend tournament to improve to 4-10 overall.
Milena Janjusevic has paced the Jaspers' attack with 3.00 kills per set, adding 2.47 digs per frame in the back row. Olyvia Chaltas adds 2.32 kills per frame to supplement the Manhattan offense, which has been run to a .150 hitting percentage by Zoe Lindsey. Lindsey has racked up 8.28 assists per stanza as the Jaspers' primary setter.
Reigning MAAC Libero of the Week Allie Yamashiro leads the defensive effort with 4.37 digs per set, which slots her at third in the conference. At the net, Ivana Kostic has played a part in 34 of the team's 77 total blocks.
With three wins over the Jaspers last season, including a five-set victory in the MAAC Championship Semifinals, Fairfield stands at 46-9 against Manhattan. The Stags have won four straight encounters in the series and seven of the last 10.
Fairfield vs. Iona
Sunday, Sept. 25 | 1 p.m.
Live Stats
Iona, which will visit Quinnipiac on Saturday, comes to the Nutmeg State with a record of 1-12 overall and 0-1 in the MAAC. The Gaels have lost four straight contests since getting in the win column last Tuesday with a home sweep of St. Francis Brooklyn.
Fueling the Iona offense is Claire Archibald, who has sent home 3.03 kills per frame on the outside. Karly White has added 1.73 kills per set from the middle on .223 hitting. The attack is managed by setters Emma Rose and Kait Ferretti with 6.00 and 5.97 assists per set, respectively. As a unit, the Gaels are hitting .131.
Jessica Paolucci helms the back row with 3.56 digs per frame, while Archibald adds 2.85 digs per set. At the net, White has racked up 30 blocks – getting a piece of half of Iona's 60 total rejections.
After splitting two meetings last fall – with the home team getting the win in both ends of the series – Fairfield is 38-14 all-time against Iona. The Stags have won six of the last 10 meetings with the Gaels.
