BUFFALO, N.Y. – Fairfield University Volleyball saw its seven-match winning streak halted on Saturday afternoon with a 3-0 loss at Canisius. The Stags, who dropped the contest by set scores of 25-15, 25-20 and 25-16, were led by seven kills from rookie Emily Schillinger.
 
"We simply didn't answer the bell today," said Head Coach Todd Kress. "Give credit to Canisius – they played very well and obviously wanted it more than us. But we also have to remember what got us here, and that has been our fight and our never-say-die attitude. Today, that was missing from the very first point."
 
After today's result, Fairfield stands at 8-9 overall and 7-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. Canisius improves to 7-9 on the year with a 5-2 MAAC tally. The decision ended the Stags' run of 58 consecutive wins over MAAC opposition dating back to 2015 – the nation's longest active conference winning streak and a MAAC record.
 
"Winning 58 conference matches in a row isn't easy," noted Kress. "It takes commitment and sacrifice from each and every person in the program. Over the last four years, we never talked about it, though we were asked more times than I can remember. I'm proud to have been a small part of something special and proud of every member of our program that helped us accomplish great things during this stretch of four years. We approached each day as an opportunity to get better. So what will we do tomorrow? The exact same thing: treat it as an opportunity to get better."
 
In addition to the overall record of 58 matches, the stretch saw the Stags run off a MAAC record 25 straight road wins over conference opponents. Fairfield's current streak of 31 straight MAAC home victories – which ties the conference record established by Fairfield from 2003-07 – remains intact.
 
To go along with Schillinger's seven kills in today's effort, Luci Albertson and Sydney Williams had six kills apiece. Julia Kallen posted five kills and landed a service ace while Laura Seeger and Mayda Garcia each added four finishers. Alexis Rich piloted the attack and distributed 30 assists with one kill of her own, and Nora Quinn and Sonja Radulovic also each pitched in one kill.
 
­In the back row, Taylor Rudeen led all players with 19 digs from the libero spot. Sophia Hosokawa chipped in with 10 digs to reach double figures for the fifth time in her rookie campaign. At the net, Albertson had a hand in two of Fairfield's three team blocks with Rich, Radulovic, Seeger and Williams each playing a part in one rejection.
 
Leah Simmons led all players with nine kills for the Golden Griffins. Sara Wesley added eight finishers on .538 hitting as Canisius hit .252 as a team in the match. Cassidy Ceriani doled out 32 assists for the hosts, and Sofia Lopez Acosta led the back row with 15 digs.
 
The Stags will remain in Western New York for a Sunday MAAC tilt with Niagara. First serve is set for 1 p.m. The Purple Eagles are 4-12 overall and 4-3 in the MAAC after a five-set win over Quinnipiac this afternoon.