JERSEY CITY, N.J. – Fairfield University Volleyball held off a tenacious Saint Peter's squad on Saturday afternoon in Jersey City, sweeping the host Peacocks by 3-0 count in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action. The straight-set victory, which came by set scores of 25-23, 25-20 and 25-18, extends the Stags' winning streak to seven consecutive matches.

Fairfield's seven straight wins include a 6-0 start to the MAAC slate. The Stags are winners of 10 of their last 11 overall to improve to 11-6 on the year. Saint Peter's drops to 1-16 on the campaign and 0-6 in league action.

"Credit to Saint Peter's for capitalizing on some opportunities, but I felt that we were off today," said Head Coach Todd Kress. "We didn't defend with any sort of intensity and weren't purposeful in our second and third contacts. That being said, it's still a MAAC win in three, and we will watch film tonight and be better tomorrow."

Today's attack was paced by 12 kills from Laura Seeger, who made the start on the outside. Joelle Battles also reached double digits with 10 kills from the right side. The balanced offense also saw Ella Gardiner pick up seven kills, four apiece from Emily Schillinger and Mikayla Haut, and two on five errorless swings by Julia Kallen.

Manuela Nicolini ran the offense to a .228 clip, dishing out 34 assists and dumping over four kills of her own. The Stags lead the MAAC with a .250 hitting percentage this season, with Nicolini topping the conference at 11.60 assists per set.

To cap off the scoring, Georgia Via served up a career high five aces – the most for a Stag in a three-set match since Luci Albertson landed seven winners in a 3-0 win over Manhattan in 2018. Nicolini and Maddy Jerdonek added one ace apiece as the Stags set a season high with their seven points from the end line today.

"Georgia served the heck out the ball today," noted Kress. "She had clutch aces to end both sets one and two, and had Saint Peter's out of system.

Defensively, Kyla Berg led all players with 18 digs from the libero spot, and Nicolini added nine to fall just shy of a double-double. Kallen pitched in seven from the back row. At the net, Schillinger and Battles each had a hand in three of Fairfield's five team blocks. Overall, the Stags' defensive effort limited Saint Peter's to a .110 hitting percentage.

Up next, Fairfield treks from Jersey City to Lawrenceville for a Sunday tilt at Rider at 1 p.m. The second-place Broncs are 9-8 overall and 7-1 in the MAAC following four-set win over Quinnipiac this afternoon. Rider's lone setback in conference play came at the RecPlex against the Stags. The Broncs have since reeled off seven consecutive wins.

The Stags' three-match road stretch concludes next Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Siena. Following that midweek clash, the Stags play six of their next seven in the Nutmeg State, beginning with an Oct. 16-17 series at the RecPlex against Manhattan and Iona.