Win every match, improve every match. This goal was realized by the women’s volleyball team which, after this past weekend, clinched the title of MAAC regular season championship. The Stags had a solid weekend defeating Rider 3-0 (30-19, 30-13, 30-24) on Friday and Manhattan on Saturday in a 3-1 (30-22, 26-30, 30-18, 30-12) victory at Alumni Hall.
“In the past we have always had a little trouble with Rider,” Head Coach Jeff Werneke said of the game. “Dominating over them shows good signs of maturity for us.”
However, the weekend was bittersweet as two Fairfield seniors, Natalie Barba and Kiana Kauwe, played their last home games.
“They are both extraordinary people,” said Werneke. “Natalie is one of the most fun-loving people in the program … and Kiana is one of those players that others gain strength from. She always puts the team first.”
But despite the emotions of senior day, Barba and Kauwe helped bring Fairfield’s undefeated streak to 16 and advance to an overall record of 19-6 and 16-0 in the MAAC.
Also stepping up to the net this weekend for the Stags were juniors Lindsey Lee and Kelly Oliver both of whom posted doubles for the second game in a row. Lee had a total of 15 kills, 14 digs and three aces while Oliver led with a career-high of 17 kills, 10 digs and four blocks on the day.
Freshman Barbie Thistle also had a solid game, posting her seventh double of the year with 43 assists, 13 digs, 8 kills and three blocks.
Although the Stags have guaranteed the title of regular season champions, their focus is now sharper than ever on the games ahead.
“I think that our team is more confident as ever as a dominant factor in the MAAC conference because of our ability to continue to produce even when we don’t play our best,” said junior Lauren Campbell. “One of our main goals has been wanting to leave teams never wanting to play us again. Not allowing them to build confidence, and getting past two tough teams this weekend, has contributed to our mental stability.”
Junior Jazmin Pa’akaula agreed that the team has matured this year.
“I think each day we practice is what motivates us. Our work during practice is the only thing that will defeat us,” she said.
Though the Stags have won the regular season title for the past two years, they have been unable to clinch the tournament title, which gives them a bid to the NCAA tournament.
“The only distractions we will face are the distractions we allow ourselves,” Wereneke said.
Pa’akaula agreed that their only obstacle is facing defeat within themselves.
“Being on a winning streak is pressure because we did fold the past two years,” she said.
But this year Pa’akaula also thinks the team is much more mature and relaxed.
“We take it practice by practice and game by game, this is the time we want to be peaking,” she said.
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