CHICAGO – In a matchup of defending conference champions, 2016 Southern Conference winner Samford edged the reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions from Fairfield University Volleyball, 3-2, on Saturday at the Rambler Challenge in Chicago. Three Stags posted double figures in kills, including a career-best 13 finishers from Kaylie Butts.
 
Fairfield evens its 2017 mark at 3-3 after today's loss, which came by set scores of 25-15, 19-25, 16-25, 25-22 and 15-7. On the opening day of the Rambler Challenge, the Stags were clipped in five sets by Milwaukee before taking a 3-1 victory over host Loyola Chicago. Samford improves to 2-3 with the win.

"I'm proud of our effort but disappointed that we couldn't finish in two of our matches this weekend," said Head Coach Todd Kress. "We need to develop a different approach to finishing and take advantage of the opportunities that we have created for ourselves. Overall, it was another solid weekend and we simply need to fine tune some things. Getting healthy will help as well."
 
Mayda Garcia led the Stags with 14 kills today, completing her third double-double of the weekend with 17 digs. Sonja Radulovic (12 kills, 11 digs) and Manuela Nicolini (47 assists, 12 digs) each recorded their second double-double of the Chicago trip.
 
Kaylie Butts had the best offensive match of her young career with 13 kills on .333 hitting. Kaitlyn Fisher added nine kills from the right side for the Stags, with Nora Quinn notching two finishers and Nicolini dumping in one from the setter spot.
 
Garcia's 17 digs let the effort in the back row. Libero Taylor Rudeen picked up a dozen digs and supplemented the scoring effort with three service aces. Jamie Calandro added two winners from behind the service line to go along with nine digs.
 
At the net, Butts, Quinn and Nicolini each played a part in three of the Stags' six team blocks.
 
Samford was led by a match-best 21 kills from Krista Boesing, while Kelsi Hobbs posted a double-double comprised of 17 kills and a team-high 16 digs. Taylor Anderton managed the Bulldogs' attack to the tune of 40 assists.
 
After completing their longest road trip of the season, the Stags will take their shortest road jaunt of the campaign with a Wednesday, Sept. 6 visit to Sacred Heart. The Pioneers are 1-3 on the young season.
 
Action then comes to George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall for the first time on Sept. 8-9 for the Fairfield Invitational. The Stags will host Washington State (5-1) on both nights of the tournament in addition to a Saturday afternoon clash with New Hampshire (1-4). The event features three teams that reached the NCAA postseason in 2016 with the Cougars and America East Champion Wildcats tangling with the host Stags.