Volleyball lands on its feet

Fairfield volleyball has had its ups and downs already this season. From a hard preMAAC season schedule to their first MAAC regular season loss since 2005, the road has been bumpy. But it seems the Stags have landed on their feet.

“I think it was a big weekend for us,” said Head Coach Jeff Werneke. “We kind of bounced back from the week before loss against Sienna and now we’ll see if we can remain consistent.”

With a three-game winning streak under their belt, the success of the season boils down to just that: Consistency.

Werneke said that while the team has seen improvements in the consistency of their game there is always room for more.

“Defense intensity just needs to pick it up a notch and we could be better in other areas, but we’re maintaining the communication and focus in specific areas that are obviously paying off,” he said.

This consistency was seen this weekend when the Stags defeated both Canisius and Niagara in three games, bringing the Stags to a 7-9 overall record and 4-1 in the MAAC.

Leading Fairfield was outside hitter Kelly Oliver ’08, with 28 kills, 18 digs and seven block assists. Against Niagara she posted her sixth double-double of the season.

Katie Mann ’10 also helped Fairfield on the offense with 26 kills and five block assists for the weekend. Lindsey Lee ’08 was a force in the defense posting 22 digs and 19 kills overall.

While the Stags flew by both Canisius and Niagara this weekend, it is not the only time they will be meeting in conference play. Fairfield faces every MAAC opponent twice during a season.

“I know some of the teams we’ve already played will be better and by that second time around it isn’t the same team that we saw the first time around,” Werneke said. “Each weekend is a different challenge and we prepare throughout the week for that challenge. We’ll be a very different team by the time we see Siena a second time.”

The Stags take the home court again this weekend playing Rider on Friday and Loyola on Saturday.

“Each opponent brings a different style of play,” said Werneke.

But in order to stay consistent in the upcoming weeks hard work, not only on the court but off the court, is key to keeping the Stags successful.

And according to Werneke the hard work is paying off.

“How hard we work and the changes we’re trying to make are translating onto the court,” he said. “It’s not only hard work but it also has to be execution too and when you pair both of those we are very successful.”