Volleyball Falls in Three to Fairfield

The Canisius College volleyball team opened the first MAAC weekend of the season with a split, losing in three sets to Fairfield University in the Koessler Athletic Center on Sunday. The Golden Griffins (4-8, 1-1 MAAC) lost 25-23, 25-18, 25-20 to see their 11-match home conference winning streak come to an end.

Junior Renee Lettow led Canisius with 12 kills on the day. Senior Michelle Godfrey had seven kills and seven block assists. Sophomore Janelle Davis had 26 assists while freshman Allyson Severyn had 16 digs.

“Not only didn't we execute the physical play, we didn't bring the energy and attention to play with one of the top teams in our conference,” Canisius coach Cathy Hummel said. “We need to learn from this loss but also move on quickly, as it's never easy to win conference matches on the road.”

The teams played a tight first set, with no team holding more than a two-point lead until late in the set. Lettow had six kills in the set, including four of the first six points for the Griffs. With the score tied 21-21, Fairfield won three straight points to go up 24-11. The Griffs cut the lead to 24-23 on a kill from freshman Samantha Good, and the Stags took the set on a kill from Katie Mann.

Fairfield overcame a quick start from Canisius in the second set, as the Griffs held an 8-4 lead on a kill from Lettow. The Stags would take their first lead of the set at 12-11 on a kill from Brianna Dixion. Fairfield closed the set by winning six of the final seven points to go up 2-0 in the match.

The Stags held an early lead in the third set at 6-3, but Canisius won seven straight points to go up 10-6 on a block from Godfrey and Davis. The score was tied at 15-15, and the Stags won four straight points to take control of the set and eventually win the match.

Four Fairfield (4-9, 2-0 MAAC) had 10 or more kills in the match, with Mann and Dixion leading the squad with 11 kills apiece. Lauren Balmert had a match high 40 assists while Kara Reis had a match-high 22 digs.

Canisius plays two conference, road matches next weekend, taking on Saint Peter's on Saturday, and Manhattan on Sunday.

Match Notes: The last conference loss for the Griffs in the Koessler Athletic Center came against Siena on Nov. 3, 2007… Lettow had double-digit kills for the fifth time this season and has at least eight kills in the lsat five matches… The seven blocks from Godfrey were a season high for the senior and most since she had 11 at Iona on Nov. 8, 2008.

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Players Mentioned

#5 Janelle Davis: S; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#9 Michelle Godfrey: MH/RS; 6' 3"; Senior

#16 Samantha Good: MH/RS; 5' 10"; Freshman

#2 Renee Lettow: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

#18 Allyson Severyn: L; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#5 Janelle Davis
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: S

#9 Michelle Godfrey
: 6' 3"; Senior
: MH/RS

#16 Samantha Good
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: MH/RS

#2 Renee Lettow
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH

#18 Allyson Severyn
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: L