FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Coming off of a 2-1 weekend to open the 2019 campaign, Fairfield University Volleyball heads to Malibu for three matches at the Pepperdine Tournament. In addition to the host Waves, the Stags will challenge California Baptist and Texas A&M.
 
The Stags last played in the California in 2012, when they met #4 USC – an eventual Elite Eight team – in Los Angeles in the NCAA Championship First Round.
           
Five-set triumphs over host UMBC and Lafayette highlighted the Stags' first weekend of action. Fairfield, who also met AAC foe Temple, was led by Laura Seeger and Sonja Radulovic, both of whom earned All-Tournament Team laurels for their efforts. Seeger posted a team-best 3.31 kills per frame on .273 hitting and up 12 blocks while Radulovic began her senior season with 2.08 kills and 1.58 digs per stanza, including a double-double in the five-set finale against Lafayette.
 
Also keying the attack were Joelle Battles (2.46 kills/set), Kaylie Butts (1.62) and Luci Albertson (1.46). The offense was managed by Manuela Nicolini, guiding the Stags to a .200 hitting percentage with 9.62 assists per frame.
 
Stags vs. California Baptist
Friday, Sept. 6 | 1 PM (ET)
FloVolleyball | Live Stats
 
California Baptist University (CBU) is 0-3 this season after a trip to Idaho. The Lancers were clipped by Illinois-Chicago, Idaho and Eastern Washington to kick off their second season as a Division I squad. CBU, which was the top-ranked team in Division II two years ago, went 21-11 last fall.
 
Former PacWest Rookie of the Year Sydney Marks paced the Lancers last weekend with 2.92 kills per set while swinging at a .342 clip. Rookie Christine Graf added 2.75 kills on .329 hitting and Yagoda Jedrzejczak racked up 2.25 finishers per stanza at a .364 rate. Hana Okuhara and 2018 All-WAC Second Team selection Natalie Zimmerer shared setting duties and totaled 5.33 and 5.25 assists per frame, respectively, while running the attack to a .250 hitting percentage.
 
On the defensive side of the net, Nicole Abreu led the back row with 3.25 digs per set and Graf had a hand in a team-best six of the Lancers' 15 team blocks.
 
Friday's match will be the first-ever meeting between Fairfield and CBU.
 
Stags at Pepperdine
Friday, Sept. 6 | 9 PM (ET)
WCC Network | Live Stats
 
Pepperdine entered the 2019 season receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches' Poll but dropped out after a 1-2 opening weekend. The Waves were on the short-end of 3-2 losses to Tulsa and North Texas before defeating Illinois State, 3-1, to conclude the North Texas Challenge. Pepperdine went 22-9 and reached the NCAA Championship Second Round last fall.
 
Four Waves averaged over 2.2 kills per set last weekend, led by 3.77 kills per stanza from Rachel Ahrens, who hit .342. Tarah Wylie's 2.23 finishers per stanza came at a scorching .577 clip. Taya Mahi ran the attack to a .312 hitting percentage with 10.92 assists per set.
 
Hana Lishman headed the defense, posting 5.54 digs per set from the libero spot. At the net, Alli O'Harra had 15 blocks and Ahrens racked up 14.
 
Fairfield and Pepperdine met once before in one of the most memorable matches in Stags' history. Meeting in Malibu in the 2000 NCAA Championship First Round, Fairfield took a set from the #15 Waves – the first MAAC team to ever win a set in the national tournament – and nearly took the fourth frame before falling, 17-15, to drop a 3-1 decision.
 
Stags vs. Texas A&M
Saturday, Sept. 7 | 2 PM (ET)
FloVolleyball | Live Stats
 
Texas A&M comes to Malibu at 1-1, defeating Dayton in five sets before dropping a five-setter to #25 Louisville last weekend. The Aggies went 17-13 overall and 10-8 in the SEC in 2018.
 
2018 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention Hollann Hans led Texas A&M last weekend in Kentucky with 3.38 kills per set. Lauren Davis added 2.71 kills per stanza while hitting .302. Camille Conner – a 2018 AVCA All-Region pick – was the Aggies' primary setter with 7.00 assists per frame.
 
Davis and Mallory Talbert each had a hand in five of the Aggies' 12 team blocks in the two opening contests of 2019, while Camila Gomez led the back row with 3.40 digs per set.
 
Saturday's match will be the first meeting between Fairfield and Texas A&M.
 
After their cross country trip, the Stags will take to George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall for the first time in 2019 next weekend with home matches against Northeastern and NJIT. Fairfield then caps the weekend with a short trip across town for the annual meeting with Sacred Heart.