FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Twelve months ago, the word swirling above Fairfield University Volleyball was "new" – a new coaching staff, seven new players and a new home court. But the end result proved to be anything but "new" as Fairfield raised its conference-best 13th MAAC Championship trophy. On the eve of the 2024 season, the Stags and Head Coach Nancy Somera welcome back nearly every piece of that championship squad to seek a 14th MAAC crown and return to the NCAA postseason.
 
"We have a much different starting point this year. At this time last season, we were still getting to know each other and figure out who could best contribute and in what position on the court," said Somera. "This year, we return just about everybody, so we are further along in understanding how to execute the fundamentals and be disciplined in our systems. This should translate to operating at a higher level on match day, with more attention directed to making adjustments and competing, instead of figuring out our side."
 
In total, Fairfield brings back 12 of 14 student-athletes from 2023, highlighted by All-MAAC honorees Allie Elliott, Mikayla Haut, Blakely Montgomery and Maya Walker – also the MAAC Championship MVP. Among the 12 returners, the Stags have retained over 94 percent of their points and all but nine digs from the 2023 final line.
 
The Stags also welcome a class of seven freshmen as well as West Virginia transfer Emma Beretich to round out the 20-player roster.
 
"We've added depth in every position to this year's roster, including our first-years who are learning fast and pushing the upperclassmen in practice every day," Somera noted. "There is an advantage to entering the season with more experience under your belt, but it's a long season, and everybody will have opportunities to earn playing time."
 
The defending MAAC Champion Stags have been tabbed to repeat in the Preseason Coaches' Poll, garnering 11 of 12 first-place votes. The league's head coaches selected Elliott, Haut and Walker as three of the conference's seven Preseason All-MAAC honorees, with Haut as the lone unanimous pick.
 
Before first serve on the 18-match MAAC slate on Sept. 28 at Iona, the Stags will tackle a non-conference slate that stands among the toughest in program history. Fairfield's 12 non-conference opponents boasted a .625 winning percentage (228-137) last fall. The slate includes seven top-100 RPI teams, four conference champions and five NCAA participants from the 2023 campaign. Ten of the 12 non-league foes finished the year with winning records, including seven over the .600 mark.
 
"Our focus this season is to constantly evolve. We can't think being the same team we were last year will automatically yield the same results. We must constantly be working to elevate our game, individually and collectively, so we are making it tougher on our opponents," said Somera. "Our non-conference schedule is about challenging ourselves and putting Fairfield Volleyball in a position to grow on a national level, and you don't grow when everything is comfortable. The first month of our schedule is about inviting the uncomfortable. Our opponents are going to test us physically and mentally, and will likely expose areas of concern that need refinement. If we bring a welcoming mindset to these challenges, we will learn a lot about ourselves as competitors and be ready by the end of September to begin our conference season and start competing for a MAAC Championship." 
 
First serve on the 2024 Fairfield Volleyball season is set for this weekend – Aug. 30-31 – at the doTERRA Classic hosted by BYU. The Stags will challenge three NCAA postseason qualifiers from last fall in High Point, Southeastern Louisiana and the host Cougars. High Point is the defending champion of the Big South while SELU – the only first-time opponent on the non-conference schedule – won the Southland Conference in 2023. BYU – ranked #16 in this year's AVCA Preseason Poll – finished third in the Big XII en route to the Second Round of the NCAA Championship.
 
Action comes to Leo D. Mahoney Arena on the following weekend for the Fairfield Invitational from Sept. 5-7. The Stags will host Central Connecticut, Boston College and Binghamton at the three-day tournament.