The top team in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference so far in this season, continued its strong run, defeating Canisius volleyball on Saturday, as the squad bested the Griffs, 3-0 at the Koessler Athletic Center. With the loss Canisius fell to 6-18 overall and 4-11 in AAC play, while the Stags improved to 23-5 overall and a perfect 16-0 in conference action.

Following a pair of Stags set victories in the first and second, Canisius appeared to have regrouped in the intermission, opening up the third frame on a 8-3 run. However Fairfield, which has only dropped four sets in conference action all season, fended off the Griffs and tied the match up at 14-14, and never looked back, finishing the stanza on a 11-5 run. Fairfield recorded set wins of 25-18, 25-9  and 25-19 for the win.

Sophomore Sara Wesley led the Griffs on offense, recording eight kills and only two erriors on 14 attacks for a .429 hitting percentage. Cassidy Ceriani recorded her 13th double-double of the season, notching 17 assists and 10 digs to lead the team in both categories.

For Fairfield Skyler Day and Megan Theiller recorded double-figure kills with 18 and 15, respectively. Sydney Buckley led the team with 21 assists and Mallory Bechtold led the Stags with 17 digs.

THOUGHTS FROM COACH VAZQUEZ:
“What I take away from a match like today, is the heart and drive our team showed,” head coach Lenika Vazquez said. “We obviously didn't get the result we were looking for but our team never stopped fighting and I never question this team's heart and passion for the game.”

GAME NOTES:
• Fairfield got the best of Canisius in the 41st all-time meeting between the two teams, and the Stags now lead 27-14.
• In the last 11 home matches against the Stags Canisius is now 5-6 overall.
• Cassidy Ceriani continues to have a strong freshman campaign and has recorded 13 double-doubles, with most coming from digs and assists. She was the first Canisius player to record a triple double since the 2008 season.

NEXT UP:
Canisius wraps up its home schedule tomorrow afternoon, as the squad plays host to the Quinnipiac Bobcats at 1 p.m. at the Koessler Athletic Center. The Blue and Gold will also celebrate the careers of three seniors that have dexicated their time and energy to the Canisius program. Jacklyn Malusa, Katlyn Tyler and Gabrielle Vetere will all be honored tomorrow with the ceremony beginning at 12:53.