Volleyball falls to Fairfield in first MAAC Match of the Season

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Volleyball falls to Fairfield in first MAAC Match of the Season

The Canisius volleyball team fell in straight sets to the Fairfield Stags in its first MAAC match of the season Saturday afternoon at the Koessler Athletic Center. The Stags (7-5, 1-0 MAAC) won by scores of 25-14, 25-21, and 25-18. The Golden Griffins record moves to 2-8 overall and 0-1 in MAAC play.

The first set was a deadlock early on with the Griffs and Stags exchanging the opening six points. Fairfield was able to break the tie midway through the set, thanks to a 7-1 run fueled by kills from five different players to take an 18-10 lead. The Griffs would mount a late 3-1 surge, led by a pair of kills from sophomore outside hitter Taylor Baldwin and senior middle blocker Elle Shult, but a 4-0 run saw Fairfield take the set, 25-14, and 1-0 match lead.

Once again in a deadlock to open the second set, the Griffs used a 10-5 stretch captained by strong serves from freshman setter Ella Bourque and a trio of kills from Baldwin to hold a 16-13 lead over the defending MAAC champions. The Stags would answer with a 7-1 run of their own, coupled with a 5-2 run at the end of the set to take the set, 25-21, and 2-0 match lead.

Fairfield started the third set hot with a 5-1 run before a kill from senior middle blocker Camille Vanleer made it 5-2. The Stags would remain three or more points ahead for the rest of the set before clinching the frame, 25-18, securing the sweep.

The Griffs were led by Baldwin with 15 kills and 29 assists from Bourque. As a team, the Blue and Gold hit at a clip of .200 (35-14-105).

KJ Johnson was the leader for the Stags with 15 kills while her teammate Blakely Montgomery chipped in 33 assists. Fairfield was strong on offense, totaling a hitting percentage of .402 (48-7-102).

Match Notes:
• Dating back to his time at Marist, this was the first time head coach Tom Hanna has opened up conference play against Fairfield.
• Each team was tied in total blocks with three apiece. Neither team registered a solo block or a blocking error as well.
• Everyone who checked into the match for the Griffs today also appeared in all three sets.
• Senior outside hitter Ella Loussia was the only player on the Griffs today to register a service ace.

Up Next
Canisius is back in action tomorrow at noon when they take on Quinnipiac in their second MAAC match of the season at the Koessler Athletic Center.

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