FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Volleyball opens the 2018 campaign this weekend with three matches at the Tropical Smoothie Invitational hosted by James Madison University. The weekend slate includes two outings against 2017 NCAA qualifiers in the host Dukes and the SEC's Missouri Tigers as well as a clash with Delaware State.
 
The Stags – the three-time defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Champions – return 10 student-athletes from the squad that captured the 2017 crown last November. Fairfield has also introduced seven newcomers into the fold for the upcoming campaign. Coming off of back-to-back 18-0 records in the MAAC regular season, the Stags have been selected as the preseason favorite in the MAAC Preseason Coaches' Poll with nine of 10 first-place votes. Fairfield also landed three returners on the Preseason All-MAAC team: Luci Albertson, Taylor Rudeen and MAAC Preseason co-Player of the Year Manuela Nicolini.
 
Fairfield vs. James Madison
Friday, Aug. 24 @ 12:30 PM
Sinclair Gymnasium, Harrisonburg, Va.
Live Audio | Live Stats
 
The back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Champions, the James Madison Dukes have been tabbed for first in this fall's CAA Preseason Poll.  M'Kaela White was recognized by the conference as Preseason All-CAA following her Second Team All-CAA showing in 2017, while fellow 2017 All-CAA Second Team pick Bryn Recker was lauded as an Honorable Mention in this preseason. White and Recker represent two of the Dukes' three All-CAA honorees from their 25-6 campaign last fall. JMU will be without the services of a third in graduated libero Taylor Austin, who was also a Second Team All-CAA performer.
 
The Stags have met the Dukes only once before as a part of the 2016 Fairfield Invitational. Fairfield topped the visitors by a 3-1 count, led by 22 kills and 11 digs from Megan Theiller '18.

 
Fairfield vs. Missouri
Saturday, Aug. 25 @ 10:30 AM
Sinclair Gymnasium, Harrisonburg, Va.
Live Stats
 
Coming off of a 22-12 campaign and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen, the Missouri Tigers will begin their 2018 season slotted for third place in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll and receiving votes on the national level in the AVCA Preseason Coaches' Poll.
 
Missouri's four returning starters from last fall include AVCA All-America Honorable Mention Alyssa Munlyn and a pair of SEC All-Freshman selections in Leketor Member-Meneh and Kayla Caffey. The 2018 roster will also welcome Sun Wenting, an AVCA First Team All-American at the junior college level at Miami Dade last season.
 
Fairfield is 0-2 all-time against Missouri. The squads met in Ann Arbor in 2009 as a part of the Michigan Challenge, and the Tigers visited Alumni Hall in the early stages of the 2013 campaign.
 
Fairfield vs. Delaware State
Saturday, Aug. 25 @ 5 PM
Sinclair Gymnasium, Harrisonburg, Va.
Live Stats
 
Delaware State will be a new-look team from a squad that posted a 3-22 record in 2017. The Hornets' roster includes six freshmen among a young, 12-player squad that boasts only one junior and one senior. Among the returners, Sydney Armbrister is the top offensive threat after averaging 1.66 kills per frame last fall.
 
Fairfield's lone meeting with Delaware State came at the Palestra in 2015. The Stags' sweep of the Hornets was led by double-doubles from Skyler Day '18 (15 kills, 13 digs) and Megan Theiller '18 (11 kills, 10 digs).
 
Up Next
After their weekend in Virginia, the Stags will open the home slate on Wednesday, Aug. 29 with a 7 p.m. visit from crosstown foe Sacred Heart. Town of Fairfield residents in attendance will receive free entry into a drawing to win tickets to select Fairfield Men's and Women's Basketball games.
 
Admission is free for all fans to all Fairfield Volleyball regular season home matches.