HAMDEN, Conn. – Fairfield University Volleyball closed out the regular season with a pair of five-set matches at in-state MAAC foe Quinnipiac. The pair split the doubleheader, with the Stags erasing a 2-1 deficit to take the opener and the Bobcats returning the favor by climbing out of a 2-0 hole in the nightcap.
With the win in the opening match, the Stags clinch their 19th MAAC Regular Season Championship in last 25 seasons. It is also their second straight regular season crown and their fifth in the last six years. Head Coach
Todd Kress picks up his eighth MAAC Regular Season Championship (1996, 1997, 1998, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, Spring 2021).
"Today was a great day of volleyball… and a very long day," said Kress. "I'm proud of our student-athletes for wrapping up the top seed and the regular season title, and very proud of the way they did it. Of course, everybody has been forced to deal with the challenges of Covid, but our group has made great sacrifices to remain healthy and give ourselves a chance up in Albany. When we began back in February, that's all we could have asked for."
Fairfield will be the top seed in the upcoming 2020-21 MAAC Championship. The eight-team tournament begins Thursday, April 1 at the Albany Convention Center in Albany, N.Y. More information about the postseason will be announced on FairfieldStags.com as it is finalized by the conference office this evening and throughout the week.
Match 1: Fairfield 3, Quinnipiac 2 (15-25, 25-22, 20-25, 25-16, 15-9)
- Emily Schillinger's career-high 18 kills led the Fairfield attack, pacing four Stags in double figures. Kaylie Butts and Luci Albertson had 14 and 13 kills, respectively, in the middle.
- On the outside, Simone Tyson recorded her first career double-double with career bests of 12 kills and 18 digs.
- Manuela Nicolini also registered a double-double with 50 assists and 16 digs.
- Georgia Via led the back row with 30 digs and added six assists.
- Fairfield amassed 13 team blocks, including a career-high eight for Ella Gardiner.
- Schillinger, Tyson and Butts each had two kills in the fifth set. The Stags totaled 15 digs and two blocks in holding the Bobcats to -.030 in the final frame.
Match 2: Quinnipiac 3, Fairfield 2 (17-25, 18-25, 25-20, 25-22, 15-11)
- In her first career appearance as a six-rotation outside hitter, Morgan Doll sent home 21 kills on .269 hitting and posted 18 digs.
- Luci Albertson swung at a scorching .609 clip en route to a career-best 15 kills.
- Simone Tyson added her second double-double of the afternoon with a career-high 13 kills to go along with 15 digs.
- Alexis Rich took the helm of the offense and distributed 56 assists to go along with 10 digs.
- Georgia Via donned the libero jersey and registered a team-best 27 digs.
"No matter the lineup today, we competed and fought for every point," added Kress. "Those reps will be invaluable as we enter the conference championship this week."
The Stags wrap up the regular season with a record of 9-1. Quinnipiac heads to Albany sporting a 3-4 mark.
