FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University volleyball had its 2007 recruiting class ranked among the top 95 in the nation by PrepVolleyball.com. Fairfield was the only Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) program to be recognized.

It is the first time during the tenure of head coach Jeff Werneke, the 2006 Anaconda Sports MAAC Coach of the Year, in which a recruiting class has cracked the top-100.

PrepVolleyball ranks the top-30 recruiting classes in the nation and sorts the remaining 65 teams in several recognition categories. Fairfield received honorable mention status along with programs such as Maryland, Kansas, Iowa, South Florida, St. Louis, and Xavier.

The Stags' incoming freshman class consists of middle hitter Kayla Hughes (Portland, Ore./Jesuit), right side Lauren Wagner (Eagan, Minn./Cretin-Derham Hall), and outside hitters Lauren Hughes (Costa Mesa, Calif./Mater Dei) and Alex Lopez (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain). All four played for top-level club volleyball teams and earned numerous accolades for their respective scholastic teams.

Last season's freshman class consisted of Barbie Thistle, the 2006 MAAC Setter of the Year, and Katie Mann, a four-time MAAC Rookie of the Week. Fairfield went 24-8 overall and 18-0 in conference play during the 2006 campaign, capturing its third-straight MAAC Regular Season title. The Stags, whose 24 wins are the fifth most in program history, also posted a 20-match winning streak and their third-straight winning season. Fairfield lost just two student-athletes from the 2006 squad and will return nine Stags, including the 2006 MAAC Offensive Player of the Year.

Fairfield, whose 2007 schedule features seven NCAA Tournament participants, opens the season at the San Diego State Tournament, August 24-25.