LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Fairfield University Volleyball rallied all the way back from a 2-0 deficit to knock off host Rider, 3-2, on Friday in Lawrenceville. With the win, the Stags also sealed sole possession of the Metro Conference Regular Season Championship.
Emma Bortolotti led Fairfield on the comeback trail with career highs of 21 kills and 10 blocks.
Tonight's match will re-air on SNY on Saturday, Nov. 7 at 3 p.m.
Fairfield remains unbeaten in the Metro at 15-0 as a part of a 21-5 overall record. Rider, currently battling for a postseason berth, slips to 9-15 on the season and 8-7 in Metro play. The Stags' comeback was comprised of set scores of 22-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, and 15-11.
Bortolotti's 21 kills came on 44 swings – matching her career high – for a .364 hitting percentage. In addition to piling up 10 blocks, the reigning Metro Player of the Week also chipped in in the back row with six digs.
Six hitters supplemented the attack as
Aislin Oldach put down seven kills and
Julie Dufourt added six from the pins.
Harlan Wyche and
Mamie Krubally each had five kills, while
Sophia Nagy and
Lindsey Healey had four apiece.
Zofia Sykut managed the attack to a .190 hitting percentage as she doled out 32 assists to go along with three kills of her own. Sykut and Wyche also contributed to the scoring effort from the endline with three service aces apiece. Dufourt and
Natalie Carlin each served up two aces for the Stags.
Bortolotti had a hand in 10 of the Stags' 14 team blocks. Wyche – the Metro's leading blocker – got a piece of seven rejections, and Nagy contributed to three. Also in the middle,
Keyaira Limuel-Washington made her collegiate debut and played a role in three blocks in her two sets of action.
In the back row, libero
Katelyn Cook led all players with 21 digs. Sykut pitched in 12 to round out her double-double and Carlin had 10. All told, Fairfield's defensive effort limited Rider to a .151 overall hitting percentage and a .124 rate throughout the final three frames.
Rylah Robinson led the Broncs with 16 kills. Tori Bonacci had a dozen on .524 hitting alongside six blocks. Molly Rohde also had a hand in six blocks while amassing 10 kills for the hosts.
Fairfield Volleyball heads to Jersey City tomorrow – Saturday, Nov. 7 – for a 1 p.m. clash at Saint Peter's to wrap up the road portion of the Metro Conference schedule.
The Stags conclude the regular season at Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Nov. 13-14 against Canisius and Niagara.
