FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A stretch of five matches in five days for Fairfield University Volleyball starts this Wednesday, Sept. 7 when the Stags open the home portion of the 2022 schedule against visiting St. John's. First serve from the RecPlex is slated for 6 p.m.
 
The Stags enter the match at 4-2 following a 3-0 weekend to win the Villanova Classic. Fairfield swept New Hampshire and Lafayette and capped the tournament with a five-set triumph over the host Wildcats. KJ Johnson was named MVP of the tournament and later added MAAC Player of the Week laurels. She was joined on the Villanova Classic All-Tournament Team by Sara Daniels and Ella Gardiner.
 
St. John's comes to Fairfield with a record of 3-3. The Red Storm started the season with three wins against Cal Baptist, Appalachian State and host Charleston Southern but most recently dropped three out in Las Vegas to Miami (Fla.), Weber State and UNLV. St. John's is led by returning Big East co-Player of the Year Rachele Rastelli and sophomore Giorgia Walthier. The potent duo has combined for more than half of the Red Storm's 403.5 points, netting 204 points between them.
 
St. John's is coming off of a 15-17 campaign in 2021. The Red Storm went 6-12 in the Big East including an upset of eventual conference champion and perennial national contender Creighton.
 
Fairfield is 4-6 in the all-time series with St. John's. The Stags have won the two most recent meetings – a 3-2 comeback win at Alumni Hall in 2016 and a 3-1 victory in Queens in 2017. After upending Villanova on Sunday, the Stags will be seeking their second straight win over a Big East foe. Fairfield went 0-2 against the conference last season with losses to Marquette and Seton Hall.
 
Wednesday's match kicks off a full weekend of action at the RecPlex as the Stags will play host to the Fairfield Invitational from Sept. 8-11. Fairfield will challenge Washington State, Howard, High Point and Fairleigh Dickinson during the loaded weekend slate.