The volleyball team at Fairfield University remains undefeated 8-0 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, marking the halfway point in conference play. They go 14-4 overall succeeding a pair of conference games this past weekend at home with a home-court advantage. They flaunted their skills during Alumni and Family Weekend in front of crowds of excited friends and families.
They started out the two-game run on George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall on Saturday, Oct. 19 where they dominated Niagara University (6-12, 5-3 MAAC) in three sets. After that, they repeated their quickly attained victory on Sunday, Oct. 20 versus Canisius College (9-12, 6-3) with another clean sweep, 3-0 which protracted Fairfield’s win streak to 12.
Against Niagara, the Stags claimed the first three sets 25-8, 25-16 and finally 25-18.
Fairfield’s back row acted as a formidable force. Senior Manuela Nicolini, Morgan Doll ‘23 and Jamie Calandro ‘20 reached double digits in digs, tallying 15, 13 and 11 respectively.
Offensively, Nicolini grew her MAAC-leading average of 10.52 helpers per set when she amassed 42 assists on Friday. Additionally, Mayda Garcia ‘20 lead her team in kills (13) while Kaylie Butts ‘21 and Laura Seeger ‘23 tallied 10 apiece. First year Joelle Battles trailed behind with six. Calandro joins Nicolini at the top of the MAAC’s radar, this time in aces with .55 per set.
The Canisius Griffins proved to be more competitive than Fairfield’s adversaries the night before, but still their efforts were no match for the home team. Fairfield claimed the first three sets 25-18, 25-23 and 25-18 once more.
Again, Garcia shone among the pack. She registered a double-double comprised of 11 kills and 11 digs. Battles went neck and neck with Garcia, equaling her kills record with 11 of her own. The Stags accounted for a season high of 11 service aces, a feat that was accomplished due to efforts from Doll, Nicolini, Sonja Radulovic ‘20 and Maddy Jerdonek ‘23, who all delivered two winners.
Doll excelled at libero, leading both Canisius and Fairfield with 17 digs in the trio of sets.
The Stags are slated to challenge inter-state rivals, Quinnipiac University (8-11, 4-6 MAAC), at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 in Hamden, Conn. The Bobcats are sure to seek revenge after falling to the Stags 3-0 earlier this season in September.
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