NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Fairfield University Volleyball improved to 6-0 in the 2021 spring campaign with a pair of victories at Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Niagara on Thursday afternoon in Western New York. The Stags claimed the twin bill by scores of 3-1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-12) and 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-19).
 
With the sweep, Fairfield is the last remaining MAAC unbeaten at 6-0 – with the exception of Saint Peter's, which has not yet played this spring. Niagara evens its record at 2-2 after landing on the short side of both ends of today's doubleheader.
 
Match 1: Fairfield 3, Niagara 1 (21-25, 25-12, 25-21, 25-12)
 

• Joelle Battles led the Stags with 16 kills on .243 hitting from the right side, adding eight digs and four blocks. On the outside, Laura Seeger had 15 kills swinging at a .275 clip.
• Manuela Nicolini posted her fifth straight double-double with 45 assists and a team-leading 17 digs to go along with four blocks.
• In the middle, Kaylie Butts neared a double-double with nine kills on .320 hitting and nine digs. Luci Albertson had six kills and led the effort at the net with a hand in six of the Stags' 11 blocks.
• Nicolini's 17 digs led five Stags in double figures from the back row. Kyla Berg and Georgia Via had 15 digs apiece, Morgan Doll recorded 13 digs and Julia Kallen added 12.

 
Match 2: Fairfield 3, Niagara 0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-19)
 

• Fairfield was powered offensively by its middle hitters, led by Kaylie Butts' team-high 11 kills on .455 hitting. Luci Albertson added eight kills, and Ella Gardiner had six finishers at a .400 clip.
• Simone Tyson sent home seven kills on the outside and shared the team high of 13 digs. Morgan Doll also posted 13 digs.
• Nicolini continued her double-double streak with 36 assist and 11 digs while sending home three kills of her own.
• Georgia Via sustained the effort in the back row with eight digs and distributed four assists for the libero spot.

 
Up next, the Stags face a short turnaround as they head back to campus to host Siena on Sunday, March 21 for a noon doubleheader. The final home games of the season will be played at Rafferty Gymnasium inside the Walsh Athletic Center.