The Canisius College volleyball team lost in three sets to Fairfield on Sunday afternoon, losing 25-12, 25-23, 25-13.

Fairfield got out to an early lead in the first set and never looked back. With the score tied 3-3, the Stags would win 17 of the next 21 points to build a 20-7 lead.

The best chance for Canisius (9-6, 4-2 MAAC) came in the second set. Fairfield (8-9, 6-0) built a 19-14 lead after a kill by Alex Lopez, but the Griffs would win four of the next five points to get within two on a kill by Renee Lettow. Canisius would get within one at 24-23 after a kill by Gerde, but the Stags responded with a kill by Katie Mann to win the set.

Fairfield continually pulled away in the third set, turning a 7-6 Canisius lead into a 22-11 Fairfield advantage. Mann had two service aces and two kills during the run, which clinched the match for the Stags.

“We didn't play well at the start of the match, and you can't afford that against a team the caliber of Fairfield,” Canisius coach Cathy Hummel said.

Lopez and Mann each had 11 kills for the Stags, who totaled 11 service aces in the match. Lauren Balmert led all players with 36 assists.

Canisius returns home for a four-match homestand, starting at the Koessler Athletic Center on Saturday. The Golden Griffins host Manhattan with match time scheduled for 2 p.m.

Match Notes: Canisius was swept for the first time this season and for the first time since Oct. 21, 2007, against Fairfield... Ammons didn't reach double-digit kills in a match for the first time in 10 matches... Fairfield defeated Canisius for the fifth consecutive time.