NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Head Coach Todd Kress earned his 500th career victory as he led Fairfield University Volleyball to a 3-0 sweep at Niagara on Sunday afternoon. KJ Johnson put down 16 kills to lead the Stags to the straight-set win.
 
Now in his 27th season as a head coach, Kress owns a lifetime record of 500-312 (.616). He is also the all-time winningest coach in Fairfield and MAAC Volleyball history with 266 wins (266-117, .695) leading the Stags. The eight-time MAAC Coach of the Year and seven-time MAAC Champion has also led the programs at Northern Illinois, Florida State and Buffalo.
 
"Reaching the 500-win mark makes me think about all of the incredible student-athletes and assistant coaches that I've been fortunate to work with in my career," said Kress. "I am grateful to all of the programs and people that have given me opportunities throughout the years. It's special to share this milestone today standing alongside one of my best friends [Associate Head Coach Melissa Batie-Smoose] and to be coaching this special group of young women on our team this year."
 
The win pushed the Stags' to 2-0 in the MAAC and 8-5 overall. Niagara, which defeated Quinnipiac yesterday, moves to 3-8 with a 1-1 conference mark.
 
In today's match, Johnson led all players with 16 kills, which came on .371 hitting on the outside. The reigning MAAC Player of the Year also posted eight digs and had a hand in two of the Stags' five team blocks.
 
The attack also featured eight kills coming at a .353 clip from Ella Gardiner and five kills on .400 hitting from fellow middle Sara Daniels. Sabria Cooper added four kills, Mikayla Haut had three and Allie Elliott chipped in one.
 
Blakely Montgomery aided the scoring with six kills while doling out 33 assists to guide the offense to a .263 hitting percentage.
 
In the back row, Johnson's eight digs were followed by seven from Maddy Jerdonek and six apiece for the trio of Elliott, Kyla Berg and Noelle Carey. Johnson, Daniels and Gardiner all got a piece of two blocks.
 
Kinga Wronska led the Purple Eagles with 14 kills on 28 errorless swings from the pins. The Niagara setting duo of Casey Brown and Kelly McArthur had 12 and 11 assists, respectively, with Lexi Bapst notching a match-high 12 digs.
 
This weekend began a stretch in which the Stags will play their first four MAAC outings on the road. Next up, the ledger brings Fairfield to Marist and Siena on Sept. 24-25 before action returns to the RecPlex for a 1 p.m. visit from in-state MAAC foe Quinnipiac on Oct. 1.