The Fairfield University women’s volleyball team (9-4) went up against Iona College women’s volleyball (1-14) on Sunday, Oct. 6. Fairfield won three consecutive sets in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match-up to secure their eighth straight win and enforce an undefeated 5-0 MAAC record. Iona’s conference record worsened to 1-5. Additionally, Sunday’s win gives the Stags a 12 set win streak in individual sets.
Although they won, the Stags had a slow start to the first match. In a short amount of time, the Iona Gaels found themselves with an 8-2 lead forcing Fairfield to call an early timeout. In no time, the Stags took the lead and went on to win the set 25-17.
When the second set started, it felt like a repeat of the first set when the Stags, yet again, had to fight from behind to eventually win the set 25-21.
However, Fairfield learned from previous mistakes, which was evident in the 25-10 win of the third set.
Leading the Stags was Mayda Garcia ‘20, who had 12 kills and 10 digs. Junior Kaylie Butts and Joelle Battles ‘23 both played a strong offensive game for Fairfield with eight and nine kills respectively. Defensively, Morgan Doll ‘23 and Manuela Nicolini ‘20 took charge with 14 and 13 digs each. Nicolini also had three blocks in the game and Butts had five.
Iona was led offensively by Jamie Smith who had eight kills and Cassandra Patsos who had six kills. On defense, Jessica Paolucci and Tess Conoly played important roles with 11 and eight digs, in that order. Karla Johnson also contributed for Iona with four blocks.
The Stags now have a record of 10-4 for the season and currently sit in first place in the MAAC. Fairfield looks to continue building on their 8 game win streak against Saint Peter’s on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12 p.m. in Jersey City, NJ for another conference game.
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