FAIRFIELD, Conn. – More than 900 days since the final match at Alumni Hall, Fairfield University Volleyball will take the court at Leo D. Mahoney Arena for the first time on Saturday, Sept. 2 for a 2:30 p.m. visit from UMBC. Admission is free for all fans to all regular season home volleyball matches this season.

On Saturday, Fairfield Athletics is partnering with FUSA for a raffle exclusively for the incoming Class of 2027. Students must check in to the game with the Super Stags app to be eligible to win. Search "Super Stags" in your device's app store to download!
 
Prior to Saturday's home opener, the Stags will visit crosstown foe Sacred Heart on Thursday, Aug. 31 for a 7 p.m. first serve.
 
The Fairfield Stags (2-1, 0-0 MAAC)

• Fairfield Volleyball opened the 2023 season at the Army Invitational, earning wins over CCSU and the host Black Knights. The Stags lone setback came by a 3-1 count to Cal.
• Despite being on the short end of the result, the Stags claimed a set from a Pac-12 foe for the first time since a 3-1 loss at Utah in 2013.
• For their performance at West Point, Mikayla Haut and Elle Shult were named to the weekend's All-Tournament Team.
• Over the last three seasons, the Stags have played matches on campus on three different home courts: Alumni Hall, Rafferty Gymnasium (inside Walsh Athletic Center), and the University RecPlex.

 
The Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-2, 0-0 Northeast Conference)

• Sacred Heart began its season with a pair of 3-0 losses to Power 5 opponents Michigan and Boston College.
• The Pioneers were tabbed as the favorite to win the NEC after claiming the regular season crown and reaching the conference's tournament final in 2022.
• Sacred Heart returns one All-NEC player from last season – outside hitter Camryn Luginbuhl – while graduating three all-conference performers.
• Fairfield is 12-5 all-time against SHU, though the Pioneers have won four of the last five meetings.

 
The UMBC Retrievers (1-2, 0-0 America East)

• UMBC began the fall with a win over Ohio, followed by losses to High Point and host James Madison at the JMU Invitational.
• The Retrievers won their third-straight America East Championship in 2022 and returner four All-AE student-athletes in 2023: First Team selections Mia Bilusic and Kamani Conteh and Second Team picks Mila Ileva and Aysia Miller. Miller was also the America East's Defensive Specialist of the Year.
• UMBC will play at Sacred Heart on Sept. 1 before coming to Mahoney Arena on Sept. 2.
• The Stags won both previous meetings with the Retrievers – both of which were five-set outings – in 2005 and 2019.

After this weekend's action, the Stags will visit LIU (0-3) on Tuesday, Sept. 5 before another big home contest when Northwestern (1-2) comes to Mahoney Arena on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m.