QUEENS, N.Y. – Fairfield University Volleyball traded points with host St. John's for much of Wednesday evening's non-conference match at Carnesecca Arena, but the Red Storm made the contest's final run to slip past the Stags with a 3-2 decision.
Mikayla Haut led Fairfield with 12 kills and five blocks.
After the five-set loss, Fairfield stands at 2-8 on the season. St. John's – a finalist in the Big East Conference Tournament last fall – improves to 8-3. The Red Storm took the match by set scores of 25-22, 24-26, 16-25, 25-22 and 15-12.
Fairfield was fueled by its defense, limiting the potent St. John's attack to a .160 hitting percentage. The Stags' 16 team blocks were the most by a MAAC squad this season.
Maya Walker had a hand in eight of the 16 rejections, while
Mamie Krubally got a piece of seven and
Emma Beretich was a part of six. Haut's five blocks were highlighted by two solo stuffs, including the rejection to sealed the third set in Fairfield's favor.
In the back row,
Kyla Berg led the way with 22 digs from the libero spot. The Fairfield libero recently entered the program's all-time top 10, now sitting with 1,330 digs in her career.
Abby Jandro chipped in eights and Svenja Rodenbüsch had six.
Haut's dozen kills led the Fairfield offense, followed by eight on .583 hitting for
Allie Elliott and seven at a .286 clip by Beretich in the middle.
Blakely Montgomery finished with 21 assists and Jandro distributed 18 in the Stags' 6-2 offense.
To round out the scoring, Haut served up three of Fairfield's nine service aces, and Berg landed a pair of winners from the end line.
St. John's rode the hot hand of Giorgia Walther, who compiled 27 kills on .308 hitting. Erin Jones had 23 kills and 18 digs for the Red Storm, while Rashanny Solano Smith led all players with 25 digs.
Another high major foe is on deck for the Stags when West Virginia comes to Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Friday for a 5 p.m. first serve. The Mountaineers are 4-5 on the season, most recently sweeping host Liberty to cap a 1-2 weekend in Lynchburg.
Admission is free for all fans at all home matches at Mahoney Arena this season.
