Box Score 

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University volleyball team handed Siena College its first conference loss of the season with a 3-2 (34-32, 36-38, 30-14, 26-30, 16-14) victory in a grudge match at Alumni Hall. The Stags improve to 16-10 overall and 13-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) to jump over the Saints (17-6, 12-1 MAAC) in the standings.

Fairfield had a balanced attack and an outstanding defensive effort with six Stags in double figures. Rookie Lauren Hughes (Costa Mesa, Calif./Mater Dei) posted match-high 20 kills on .341 hitting along with seven digs to pace the Stags attack. Senior Kelly Oliver (San Diego, Calif./La Jolla) returned to the lineup to notch a double-double with 19 kills and 19 digs while sophomore Katie Mann (Del Mar, Calif./Torrey Pines) had 18 kills, on .424 hitting, along with nine total blocks and four digs. Junior Karlie Urbaniak (Canton, Minn./Mabel-Canton) added 14 kills and a career-high seven total blocks.

Sophomore Barbie Thistle (Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield) added 55 assists, eight digs and five kills while libero Jazmin Pa'akaula (Hilo, Hawaii/St. Joseph) chipped in with 20 digs.

There were 43 ties and 10 lead changes in the exciting five game match. Fairfield hit .270 on the day while holding Siena to a .192 attack percentage. The Stags held a 15-7.5 advantage in blocks.

Fairfield pulled out to a 14-11 lead in the opening stanza on a kill by Mann that fell between the Saints defenders. After the ensuing time out by the Saints, Siena battled back taking a 22-19 lead. Fairfield was able to regain the lead and moved out to a 29-26 advantage. Siena held off game point three times to tie the game 29-29. With the score resting at 32-32, Oliver came up with a kill and senior Lindsey Lee (Hilo, Hawaii/St. Joseph) sealed the win with an ace.

The Stags jumped out to a 14-9 lead to start the second game and seemed to be in control. The Saints, however, began to claw back, pulling within 24-23 on a kill by Kelly Hummel. Siena increased its lead to 27-24 on an ace by April London. Fairfield rallied, coming back to tie the match 29-29 on a block by Mann and senior Ashley Hanohano (Hilo, Hawaii/St. Joseph). The two teams would tie seven times before a pair of Fairfield attack errors gave Siena the 38-26 win.

It was all Fairfield in game three as the Stags fought their way to the 30-14 win. The Stags hit .286 with 12 kills and just two errors in 35 attempts while holding the Saints to a minus-.212 hitting percentage.

In game four, Fairfield held a 16-11 lead in the early going. Siena did not go away quietly, outscoring the Stags 10-5 to tie the match 21-21. After taking the lead on a block, Siena would extend the margin to 26-21. Hughes briefly stopped the run with a kill to the back corner, but the Saints were able to hang on for the 30-26 win.

Siena opened game five with an 8-5 lead but Fairfield surged back, tying the frame 8-8 on a block by Urbaniak and Mann. With the scored knotted 11-11, Oliver gave Fairfield a two-point advantage with back-to-back kills. The Saints came back and took a 14-13 lead on a pair of kills by Aubrey Bobo. The Stags did not back down, holding off game point to come back and take the 16-15 win on a kill by Oliver.

Nadiege Honore had 27 digs and 10 kills for Siena while Bobo finished the match with 18 kills and seven digs.

Fairfield is back in action on Oct. 31 at Iona. The Stags will play their final home match of the year on Nov. 4 against Manhattan. Prior to the 2 p.m. start at Alumni Hall, Fairfield's five seniors will be recognized.