POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Fairfield University Volleyball started the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) portion of the 2019 slate with an emphatic 3-0 sweep at Marist on Friday evening. Mayda Garcia led a balanced Stags attack with eight kills on .438 hitting.
 
With the win, Fairfield begins MAAC play at 1-0 for the fourth straight season and improves to 6-4 overall. The Red Foxes drop to 2-8 on the year with an 0-1 conference tally. The Stags took the match by set scores of 25-18, 26-24 and 25-21.
 
"This was a great team win on the road to start our conference schedule," said Head Coach Todd Kress. "I think tonight's match showed that there are numerous ways to win a volleyball match. We weren't the most efficient offensively but dictated play from the end line and at the net with our block. I'm especially proud of our focus during the important parts of tonight's match. Even though it was a 3-0 win, it could have gone either way if we didn't keep our composure and execute at those critical points."

The Stags' offense saw six players record four or more kills. Following Garcia's team-best eight finishers were Joelle Battles and Laura Seeger with six apiece. Kaylie Butts added five, while Luci Albertson and Manuela Nicolini each registered four kills. Nicolini managed the attack from the setter spot to a .200 hitting percentage, distributing 24 assists.
 
On the defensive end, Fairfield controlled the action at the net. Albertson set the pace with a career-best eight blocks, while Nicolini had a hand in six rejections and Butts and Battles were each a part of four stuffs. The Stags' 13 team blocks represent the club's highest output in a three-set match since 2001.
 
In the back row, Garcia led the effort with 13 digs. Nicolini posted eight, Julia Kallen added six and Morgan Doll chipped in from the libero spot with five. All told, the Fairfield defense limited Marist to a .150 hitting percentage.
 
The Stags were a strong presence from behind the end lines, amassing eight service aces with only one error. Nicolini accounted for three aces, with Sonja Radulovic and Maddy Jerdonek each landed two. Kallen capped the scoring with one winner.
 
Marist's Nikki DeSerpa led all players with 12 kills, while Gabby Murray had 10. Kalle Carter ran the offense with 38 assists, and libero Sophia Theriot paced all players with 15 digs.
 
The Stags return to the Empire State and continue MAAC play this Sunday, Sept. 22 with a trip to Siena. First serve from the ARC in Loudonville is slated for 1 p.m.