Volleyball Falls to Fairfield in MAAC Action

Box Score The Canisius volleyball team was defeated by defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference regular-season champion Fairfield Saturday afternoon in three sets (21-25, 19-25, 20-25) inside the Koessler Athletic Center.

The Stags (8-6, 3-0 MAAC) downed the Golden Griffins (2-10, 2-1 MAAC) in straight sets, giving the Blue and Gold their first loss in conference play this year.

Match Recap
After falling behind 9-5 in the opening frame, Canisius responded with six consecutive points taking its first lead on the contest, 11-9. The Stags answered with a 7-1 spurt, retaking the lead, 16-12. Fairfield never looked back in the first set, as the Stags claimed an early 1-0 lead after closing out the first set 25-21.

Fairfield held a one-point lead early in the second set, 6-5, before the Blue and Gold swung the momentum in their favor, scoring seven of the next eight points of the frame to take a 12-7 lead. Following a Fairfield timeout, the Stags utilized a 17-7 run to win the second set, 25-19.

Canisius led 4-3 to begin the third and final set, however the Stags used a 6-1 burst to take the lead over the Griffs at 9-5. Fairfield never looked back, as the Stags maintained control throughout the set to complete the three-set sweep over the home-standing Griffs.

Canisius was led by senior Rachel Kinney's nine kills, as the Blue and Gold hit .204 (33-12-103) as a team. Seniors Ashley Kekeisen and Callie Chamulak both recorded double-digit assists with 14 and 13, respectively. Junior Bree Long paced the Griffs' defensive effort with 12 digs.

Fairfield's KJ Johnson posted a match-high 16 kills, as the Stags hit .324 (50-17-102) in the victory. Manuela Nicolini dished out a match-high 43 assists and Kyla Berg led the contest with 17 digs.

Match Notes
• Canisius trails the all-time series against Fairfield 33-15. Saturday was the first matchup between the two programs since 2019.
• Saturday was the third consecutive match that both Kekeisen and Chamulak have handed out double-digit assists.
• Long has recorded 10-plus digs in 33 of 34 matches against MAAC opponents in her career.

Up Next
The Golden Griffins return to action tomorrow afternoon, as the Blue and Gold welcome Quinnipiac to the Koessler Athletic Center. Match time is slated for noon and can be streamed live on ESPN+.

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Players Mentioned

#10 Callie Chamulak: S/DS; 5' 5"; Senior

#6 Ashley Kekeisen: S; 5' 10"; Senior

#9 Rachel Kinney: OH; 5' 11"; Senior

#4 Bree Long: L; 5' 5"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#10 Callie Chamulak
: 5' 5"; Senior
: S/DS

#6 Ashley Kekeisen
: 5' 10"; Senior
: S

#9 Rachel Kinney
: 5' 11"; Senior
: OH

#4 Bree Long
: 5' 5"; Junior
: L