WEST WINDSOR, N.J. – Jessica Pil won a decisive third set at #6 singles to clinch victory as Fairfield University Women's Tennis defeated Quinnipiac, 4-3, to win the 2019 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship. Pil was named the Most Outstanding Player after winning a total of three matches this weekend.
 
"I don't even know what to say about this team," said Head Coach Jeff Bricker, the 2019 MAAC Coach of the Year. "They've worked so hard all year, and to finish it with a MAAC Championship is special. They have guts and are fearless. What an unbelievable year!"
 
The victory marks the Stags' 11th MAAC Championship and first since 2012. Fairfield (14-7) earns a berth to the NCAA postseason for the fifth time in program history (2004, 2009, 2010, 2012). The win for the Stags also snapped Quinnipiac's 54-match winning streak against MAAC foes – the Bobcats (11-14) had never lost to MAAC competition since joining the conference in 2013-14.
 
Quinnipiac jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with wins at #1 and #3 doubles, and the Bobcats would extend the advantage to 2-0 with a straight-set victory at #2 singles. Fairfield evened things up in short order when Anna Komer and Sophia Prinos completed their own straight-set triumphs at #4 and #5 singles, respectively.
 
Quinnipiac struck next, earning the win at #3 singles to take a 3-2 advantage. With their backs now against the wall, the Stags looked to 2019 MAAC Player and Rookie of the Year Amanda Nowak at #1. Matched up against the Bobcats' Dominique Vasile, who won both major awards last season, Nowak earned the win by a count of 6-4, 7-6 (6) to tie the match at 3-3.
 
The MAAC Championship came down to #6 singles, where Pil battled to a deciding third set. With the final frame even at 1-1, Quinnipiac committed a match violation as the Stags locked up the match and the MAAC Championship.
 
Fairfield will learn its NCAA Championship Opening Round opponent and destination on Monday, April 29 when the Selection Show airs on NCAA.com at 6:30 p.m.