SMITHFIELD, R.I. — Fairfield University Volleyball went back-and-forth with host Bryant to the tune of 36 ties and 16 lead changes over four sets on Wednesday at the Chace Athletic Center. At the final whistle, it was the host Bulldogs coming out on top in three those nip-and-tuck frames to take a 3-1 decision by a count of 25-22, 23-25, 25-16 and 25-23.
Maya Walker led the Fairfield attack with 14 kills.
With the setback, the Stags slip to 5-4 on the season. Bryant improves to 4-7.
Walker's 14 kills came on .542 hitting from the middle, as the senior committed just one error on 24 swings.
Allie Elliott put down 12 kills at a .357 clip (12-2-28) from the pins and chipped in nine digs.
Supplementing the offensive,
Mamie Krubally and
Emma Bortolotti each had seven kills on the right side.
Katelyn Cook added four kills,
Sophia Nagy had two and the trio of Natalie Carlan,
Caroline Collins, and
Harlan Wyche dropped in one apiece.
The Stags swung at a collective .264 with
Abby Jandro and
Zofia Sykut managing the attack. Jandro distributed 20 assists with a team-best 12 digs, while Sykut handed out 19 helpers to go along with four ups from the back row.
At the net, Walker contributed to three of Fairfield's four team blocks, and Krubally had a hand in two.
Bryant was led by a stellar showing from All-America East First Team pin Arianna Ugolini. The senior from Bologna, Italy had a career-best 27 kills on .581 hitting. Brookelyn Talmadge added an .833 (10-0-12) day in the middle to fuel the attack. Madison Koeller dished out 58 assists as she ran the Bryant offense to a .374 team hitting percentage.
The Stags have a short turnaround and another road swing on deck when Fairfield travels to Central Connecticut State on Friday, Sept. 19. The Blue Devils are 1-9 on the season after a five-set "reverse sweep" loss to Sacred Heart this evening in New Britain.
Action returns to Mahoney Arena when Fairfield opens MAAC play with three consecutive home outings against Merrimack (Sept. 26) and in-state foes Quinnipiac (Sept. 27) and Sacred Heart (Sept. 30).
Admission is free for all fans to all Fairfield Volleyball regular season home matches this season.
