VILLANOVA, Pa. – Fairfield University Volleyball settled for a split at the Villanova Classic following a 3-1 loss to the host Wildcats on Saturday afternoon. The Stags earned a 3-2 victory over High Point on Friday to open their stay in Pennsylvania.
After today's setback, which came by set scores 25-15, 20-25, 25-10 and 25-15, the Stags stand at 3-2 on the season. Fairfield's losses have come to West Virginia and Villanova with wins over Old Dominion, Towson and HPU. The Wildcats stay perfect at 4-0 on the campaign.
"Villanova is a very good team We rebounded after the first set with a really strong second. Unfortunately, the third set got away from us and we couldn't regain the momentum," said Head Coach
Nancy Somera. "Against a team of that caliber, we needed to sustain that high level of play from the second set throughout the entire match."
The Stags were guided at the pins by 11 kills from
Katelyn Cook and nine kills on 24 errorless swings (.375) by
Allie Elliott.
Mamie Krubally pitched in seven from the right side, and
Harlan Wyche also had seven working from the middle.
Maya Walker added five kills and the duo of
Abby Jandro and
Emma Bortolotti each chipped in a pair.
Jandro ran the attack and dished out 28 assists.
On the defensive end, Elliott had a team-leading eight digs and Jandro notched six from the back row. Up front, the Stags had three team blocks. Walker got a piece of two rejections to go along with one block assist apiece by Elliott, Jandro, Wyche, and Krubally.
Villanova was led by its All-Big East stat Abby Harrell with 15 kills, seven digs and three service aces. Campbell McKinnon controlled the middle for the Wildcats with 13 kills swinging at a .611 clip and played a part in five of the hosts' eight total blocks.
The Stags head home with a three-match week at Leo D. Mahoney Arena on tap, beginning with a Wednesday, Sept. 10 visit from Yale. The Bulldogs opened their season this weekend at the Villanova Classic, falling to the Wildcats on Friday. Their match with High Point is currently in progress.
The home weekend will also feature a pair of Huskies when the Stags welcome Northeastern on Friday, Sept. 12 and UConn on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Admission is free for all fans to all regular season home games this season.
