In the 2004 and 2005 seasons the women’s volleyball team advanced to the MAAC championship match only to suffer two heartbreaking losses.

However, this year’s team does not dwell on the past-it feeds off it. That’s why the 2006 Stags are on a mission.

So far, Fairfield has steamrolled past the rest of the competition in MAAC play, notching a 14-0 record after three shutout victories last week.

Fairfield Head Coach Jeff Werneke attributed the team’s success to its overall attitude, work ethic and desire.

“This year’s team is a little more focused and mature than last year’s. And they’re hungry,” he said.

“Everyday we make an improvement. We only focus on what we can take care of. We see what the other team is giving us and we take that,” he added.

Junior Lindsey Lee summed up the Stags’ demeanor perfectly.

“You never have to question the hard work or intensity of this team,” she said proudly.

The drive didn’t let up versus Iona on Thursday, Marist on Saturday, or Siena on Sunday. The Stags’ supercharged offense dominated the matches, while key digs and crisp passing on defense stifled any threats their opponents had to offer.

Junior Kelly Oliver led Thursday’s assault with 13 kills and 20 digs. Lee and fellow junior Jazmin Pa’akaula also contributed. Lee tallied a double-double in kills and digs, while Pa’akaula almost got a triple-double in kills, digs and assists. As a team, the Stags dominated Iona in blocks, digs and kills.

The trouncing continued into the weekend. Fairfield took the lead early against Marist and never looked back, cruising to 30-13, 30-13 and 30-24 victories. Fairfield notched a .415 attack percentage overall, while Marist hit only .022.

Fairfield got its 14th MAAC win on Sunday at Alumni Hall versus No. 2 Siena. Barbie Thistle and Katie Mann continued to prove why they are two of the league’s standout freshmen, leading the offense against a team some see as the Stags toughest conference opponent. Mann had a .667 attack percentage, while Thistle hit .429, in addition to tallying 43 assists.

Lee was so in awe of her two young teammates that she was almost speechless.

“They’re not freshmen. They came in playing like upperclassmen. They’re just not freshmen to me,” she said finally.

Mann explained why the transition to college-level play has been so smooth for her and Thistle.

“We work really well on the court. We pump each other up. We both have really good work ethics and that’s helped a lot,” said Mann.

For Werneke, the reason for the team’s overall production is clear.

“The key to our offense is passing,” he said. Noting the blistering offensive pace Fairfield has maintained over the last three games, he added, “we have one of the fastest offenses in the conference.”

Looking back on the past week’s success, Mann was very pleased.

“We have not given up,” she said. “From day one, our goal has been a MAAC Championship. We haven’t even peaked yet.”

This week, the Stags complete their final homestand at Alumni Hall. They face Rider on Friday at 7 p.m. and Manhattan on Saturday at 2 p.m.

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