FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After an unbeaten four-match homestand, Fairfield University Volleyball returns to the road this weekend for the MAAC's annual Western New York swing. The Stags will meet Canisius on Saturday at noon then head to Niagara for a 1 p.m. first serve on Sunday.
 
The Fairfield University Stags (13-5, 9-1 MAAC)

• The Stags are currently tied for first place in the MAAC at 9-1 with defending champion Quinnipiac. Fairfield won the first meeting with Bobcats, 3-1, at Mahoney Arena on Oct. 6 with the returning match slated for Oct. 29 in Hamden.
• Fairfield leads the MAAC in blocks (2.41/set), hitting percentage (.207) and opponent hitting percentage (.148). MAAC opponents are hitting just .105 against the Stags.
• Individually, Maya Walker ranks second in the MAAC with 1.19 blocks per set. Three-time Libero of the Week Kyla Berg slots third in digs with 3.80 per frame.
• While no Stag ranks among the conference top 10 in kills per set, Fairfield is the only team to place five hitters among the top 30. Mikayla Haut leads the way at 13th in the MAAC with 2.57 kills per set.

 
The Canisius University Golden Griffins (6-12, 4-6 MAAC)

• Winner of three of its last four matches, Canisius most recently split a home weekend against Marist and Siena, falling to the Red Foxes before upending the Saints.
• Lauren Hubert has led the Griffs' attack with 3.02 kills per set. All-MAAC hitter Ella Loussia, who returned to the lineup this weekend after missing 10 matches, has posted 3.52 kills per set on .240 hitting in limited action this fall.
• The Canisius block is guided by 65 rejections in 70 sets by Kalia Reisma.
• Jillian Hannah helms the back row with 3.68 digs per frame.

 
The First Meeting; Fairfield 3, Canisius 0 (Sept. 16, 2023)

• The Stags swept the Griffs in the MAAC opener at Mahoney Arena on Sept. 16 by set scores of 25-17, 25-9 and 25-23.
• Svenja Rodenbusch led a balanced Fairfield attack with eight kills on .500 hitting.
• Blakely Montgomery posted a double-double with 14 assists and 10 digs.
• The Griffs' Cameron Grange led all players with 11 kills.

 
The Niagara University Purple Eagles (8-10, 7-3 MAAC)

• Niagara has won seven of its last eight since an 0-2 start to MAAC play at Quinnipiac and Fairfield, most recently handing Marist just its second MAAC loss of the campaign.
• The Purple Eagles' offense is fueled by 2.60 kills per set by Lexi Bapst.
• Laryssa Imbuzeiro is the MAAC leader on the block with 1.35 per set.
• In the back row, Bella Peroni ranks second in the conference with 3.87 digs per set.

 
The First Meeting: Fairfield 3, Niagara 0 (Sept. 17, 2023)

• Fairfield completed a 2-0 opening weekend to MAAC play with a 3-0 sweep of Niagara by set scores of 25-11, 25-20 and 25-14.
• Mikayla Haut and Maya Walker each had eight kills as the Stags hit .313 as a team.
• Walker also had a hand in four of Fairfield's eight team blocks.
• Kinga Wronska put down a match-high nine kills for the Purple Eagles.

 
Up Next

• The Stags make the return trip to Hamden to challenge Quinnipiac on Sunday, Oct. 29.
• The Bobcats, who also make the Western New York trip this weekend, are currently 13-6 overall and 9-1 in the MAAC.
• Fairfield will then host its final three regular season home matches of the season with visits from Manhattan (Nov. 1), Siena (Nov. 4) and Marist (Nov. 5).