FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Metro Conference Preseason Player of the Year continued to live up to the billing on Saturday afternoon as
Mamie Krubally put down a career-high 22 kills on .656 with nine blocks to power Fairfield University Volleyball past Merrimack, 3-1.
Katelyn Cook added a double-double with 12 kills and 12 digs in the win at Leo D. Mahoney Arena.
With the win, the Stags improve to 11-5 overall and 5-0 in the Metro. Merrimack is searching for its first win of the season, now standing at 0-18 with an 0-5 Metro tally.
"We've had a lot of success this season with even ball distribution and getting swings from everybody, but sometimes you have to lean on your go-to player, and Mamie answered that call," said Head Coach
Nancy Somera. "Overall, I thought we did a good job of responding to a Merrimack team that's well-coached and runs a good system, but we'll also take some teachable moments and learning opportunities from today into the practice gym this week."
Krubally's 22 kills came on just 32 swings with one error. The senior is hitting .371 on the season overall and a sizzling .532 in five matches against Metro competition. Cook added her dozen from the left side, and
Emma Bortolotti hit 7-for-9 in the clinching fourth set on her way to 10 kills at a .333 clip.
To supplement the attack,
Harlan Wyche added five kills from the middle,
Aislin Oldach had four,
Sophia Nagy recoded three, and
Mia Jean Claude notched two.
Three setters piloted the Stags to a .311 hitting percentage.
Zofia Sykut doled out 33 assists and the rookie duo of
Mary Kate Bradley and
Noella Migliuri had 10 helpers apiece.
Cook also accounted for three of Fairfield's six service aces.
Krubally's nine blocks led the Stags to 13 stuffs for the second consecutive match. Nagy got a piece of seven rejections and Wyche had a hand in five.
In the back row,
Natalie Carlin donned the libero jersey and finished with a match-high 22 digs. Cook added her dozen with Jean Claude and
Julie Dufourt each posting five.
In total, the Fairfield defense limited Merrimack to a .144 hitting percentage.
Jocelyn Hammerstrand led Merrimack with 12 kills. McKenna Shotwell had nine kills, six digs, and seven service aces for the Warriors.
A second consecutive Metro Conference home weekend is on deck as the Stags host Saint Peter's on Friday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. and welcome Rider on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. Admission is free for all fan to all Fairfield Volleyball home matches this season.
