FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Volleyball was on the short side of a 3-1 final this evening, across town at Sacred Heart. The Stags were led offensively by 14 kills from
Mayda Garcia – the
reigning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Week.
"The effort was there, but the execution was not," said Head Coach
Todd Kress. "We committed too many errors at critical times tonight."
The Pioneers (3-4) took the match by set scores of 25-22, 17-25, 25-16 and 25-21.
In addition to Garcia's team-high output, the Stags (3-4) also got 10 kills from
Kaylie Butts on .273 hitting (10-4-22) with
Kaitlyn Fisher adding nine kills at a .278 clip (9-4-18).
Sonja Radulovic posted eight from the outside, and
Luci Albertson rounded out the attack with four kills on 13 errorless swings (.308).
Manuela Nicolini managed the offense from the setter spot, doling out 36 assists, while
Taylor Rudeen handed out four helpers.
Rudeen also led the effort in the back row with 18 digs as the Stags' libero. Radulovic contributed 11 digs, and Nicolini added eight. At the net, Nicolini had a hand in four of Fairfield's nine blocks, while Butts and
Nora Quinn each got a piece of two rejections.
The Stags supplemented the scoring with two points from behind the service line, as Garcia and
Jamie Calandro each served up an ace.
Liisel Nelis guided the Sacred Heart offense with 14 kills. Kiki Robinson posted a double-double for the Pioneers with a pair of match highs – 37 assists and 19 digs.
This weekend, action then comes to George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall for the first time 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 (1-6). 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. All three of Fairfield's matches this weekend will be broadcast live and free of charge by the Stags Sports Network.
