FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Non-conference action returns to Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Sunday, Sept. 10 when Fairfield University Volleyball hosts Big Ten opponent Northwestern. First serve between the Stags and Wildcats is slated for 1 p.m.
 
Admission is free for all fans to all regular season Fairfield Volleyball home matches this season.
 
The Fairfield University Stags (3-3, 0-0 MAAC)
 

• Fairfield most recently dropped a straight set decision at LIU on Tuesday to fall to an even 3-3 on the year.
• The Stags lead the MAAC in blocks with 2.43 rejections per set. The effort at the net has helped Fairfield limit opponents to a .170 hitting percentage.
• Maya Walker enters the weekend at the MAAC's most efficient hitter with a .333 hitting percentage. Walker also tops the conference in blocks at 1.22 per set.
• Elle Shult is also among the conference leaders in blocks, ranking third with 1.13 send-backs per frame.
• In the back row, Kyla Berg ranks third in the MAAC with 3.70 digs per set out of the libero spot.

 
The Northwestern University Wildcats (2-3, 0-0 Big Ten)
 

• Northwestern will play three matches in three days on the east coast this weekend. The Wildcats battle and Northern Colorado and Northeastern in Boston before trekking further south to Mahoney Arena.
• Northwestern holds wins over Illinois State and then-#13 San Diego. The Wildcats have lost to Milwaukee as well as #6 Oregon and #23 Hawai'i.
• Four Northwestern hitters are averaging better than two kills per set, led by 4.00 finishers per frame by Julia Sangiacomo, a graduate transfer from Santa Clara. 2022 Big Ten All-Freshman Team pick Kathryn Randorf adds 2.56 kills per set.
• The Wildcats are looking to replace All-America outside hitter Temi Thomas-Ailara, who moved on to fellow Big Ten squad Wisconsin for a graduate season in 2023.

 
The Matchup

• The lone prior meeting between the Stags and Wildcats came as part of the 2006 Waikiki Beach Classic – a 3-0 sweep for Northwestern.
• Excluding the Spring 2021 season in which only conference matches were played, the Stags have played a Big Ten opponent in four of the last five campaigns. Most recently, Fairfield challenged Michigan State in the opening weekend of the 2022 season.

 
Up Next

• Fairfield wraps up the non-conference schedule on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Bryant.
• Action returns to Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Sept. 16-17 as the Stags open the MAAC slate against Canisius and Niagara.