HAMDEN, Conn. – Fairfield University Volleyball started the second half of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference slate with a 3-0 sweep at Quinnipiac on Saturday afternoon. The Stags were led by 12 kills from Joelle Battles and eight kills on nine errorless swings by Luci Albertson.
 
With its 13th consecutive win, Fairfield improves to 15-4 overall and 10-0 in the MAAC. The Stags' 10th league win also clinches a winning record in the MAAC standings for a conference-best 24th consecutive season. The Stags took today's match by set scores of 25-22, 25-19 and 25-11.
 
The victory is also the 450th in the collegiate coaching career of Todd Kress, including a program-record 216 triumphs as head coach of the Stags. Kress (450-295, .604) has also been a head coach at Northern Illinois, Florida State and Buffalo in his 24-year career.
 
Quinnipiac falls to 8-12 overall and 4-7 in the MAAC as the Stags take the home-and-home series from the Bobcats without dropping a set.
 
"We were a little sloppy at the beginning, I thought Quinnipiac scouted us well and did some good things to take us out of our rhythm and our transition game," said Kress. "Once we cleaned things up on our end, we were able to control the pace a little better. It's nice to come up here and get a three-set win, and now we have to focus and dig in with a run of six matches in 12 days coming up."
 
Battles' 12 kills came at a .450 clip (12-3-20), and Laura Seeger joined her in double figures with 10 kills. Albertson's .889 hitting percentage was a personal best for the junior, with Kaylie Butts adding six kills alongside her classmate in the middle. Mayda Garcia posted seven kills on the outside, with Sonja Radulovic and Julia Kallen each registering one.
 
The attack was managed by Manuela Nicolini, who doled out 39 assists and piloted the Stags to a .265 hitting percentage.
 
The MAAC's top defense was on display on Saturday as Fairfield limited Quinnipiac to a .058 hitting percentage. The Stags racked up 12 blocks, fueled by six apiece for Albertson and Butts and three for Seeger. In the back row, Morgan Doll led all players with 14 digs from the libero spot. Nicolini added nine – falling just shy of a double-double – and Radulovic picked up eight.
 
The Stags rounded out their scoring effort from behind the service line, with a pair of aces delivered by Radulovic and Maddy Jerdonek. Doll and Nicolini each landed one winner for Fairfield.
 
"I thought Seeger had one of her best matches on the outside in regards to controlling the block, taking what the defense gave her, and Maddy did a great job coming off of the bench and contributing to the scoring from the end line with a couple of aces and a lot of tough serves every rotation," noted Kress.
 
Quinnipiac was led by five kills apiece for Olga Zampati and Georgia Tselepi. Aryanah Diaz and Maria Pansari shared setting duties and finished with 12 and 10 assists, respectively. Alejandra Rodriguez guided the effort in the back row with 11 digs.
 
The Stags run of six matches in 12 days begins this Wednesday, Oct. 30 with a visit from Siena. First serve on George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall is slated for 7 p.m.