NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Fairfield University Volleyball was clipped by host Iona, 3-1, on Friday evening in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action from the Hynes Center in New Rochelle. The Gaels took the match by set scores of 25-20, 25-22, 22-25 and 25-14. Luci Albertson and Laura Seeger registered 13 and 12 kills, respectively, to pace the Fairfield attack.
 
Fairfield moves to 8-11 overall and 7-3 in the MAAC. Iona salvages a season split with the Stags and improves to 10-5 on the year with a MAAC-leading 8-1 conference tally.
 
"It's difficult to dig out of an 0-2 hole. We were fortunate to do it at Rider earlier this season, but didn't show the same consistent fight tonight," said Head Coach Todd Kress. "We had opportunities to take both sets one and two but became passive when we needed to remain aggressive."
 
Albertson's 13 kills came on .500 hitting (13-2-22) and match the sophomore's season high. For Seeger, her 12 kills at a .364 clip (12-4-22) were a personal best in MAAC competition this fall.
 
"I was proud of Laura coming off the bench," noted Kress. "She provided a much-needed offensive spark and also had some nice blocks, which is something she has been working very hard at in practice."
 
Mayda Garcia added eight kills for the Stags and Emily Schillinger chipped in with five finishers. The offense was managed by Alexis Rich, who doled out 45 assists and also aided the scoring with Fairfield's lone service ace of the contest.
 
In the back row, Taylor Rudeen led the way from the libero position with 20 digs. The senior continued her climb up Fairfield's career charts, surpassing Hall of Famer Corrine Carlson '01 to claim sixth place all-time with 1,414 career digs.
 
Garcia added 18 digs in tonight's contest and Rich just missed a double-double with nine digs to complement her assist total. At the net, Albertson was a part of five of the Stags' six team blocks, and Seeger had a hand in two rejections.
 
Iona was led by 18 kills from Claire Archibald, who neared a double-double with nine digs. Emma Rose ran the attack to a .239 clip with 54 assists, and Jessica Paolucci led all players defensively with 30 digs. Tess Connolly also closed in on a double-double for the Gaels with nine kills and 19 digs.
 
Fairfield concludes its current five-match road swing on Sunday with a 1 p.m. visit to Manhattan.
 
"Sunday is another opportunity to get better," commented Kress. "Our upperclassmen need to lead by example as we continue the second half of MAAC play."