Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The Fairfield University volleyball team edged Bowling Green 3-2 (13-25, 25-15, 25-21, 13-25, 15-12) this evening in the Stags' opening match at the Temple Invitational. With the victory, the Stags even their record to 2-2 while the Falcons move to 3-2. It is the second five-set victory for Fairfield this season. 

Sophomore Alex Lopez (Fort Collins, Colo./Rocky Mountain) was a dig shy of a double-double on the night, posting 16 kills and 9 digs to lead the Stags. Classmate Lauren Hughes (Costa Mesa, Calif./Mater Dei) recorded 14 kills and two blocks while rookie Lauren Balmert (Cranberry Twp., Pa./Seneca Valley) notched her second double-double of the season with 37 assists and 20 digs.  

Junior Katie Mann (Del Mar, Calif./Torrey Pines) had another solid outing, recording 12 kills and six total blocks. With her blocks, she moved into ninth place on Fairfield's career list with 232. 

Senior Karlie Urbaniak (Canton, Minn./Mabel-Canton) had seven kills while senior Brandi Higa (Honolulu, Hawaii/Hawaii Baptist Academy) tallied 16 digs. 

Freshman Haililani Pokipala (Honolulu, Hawaii/Sacred Hearts Academy) notched three service aces and four digs while classmate Kendal Dirkin (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park River Forest) added four kills in just their second matches of the year. 

The Stags out-blocked the Falcons 10-8. 

After dropping the first set, Fairfield stormed back in the second frame. The Stags, who hit .500, opened up an early 9-3 lead and never looked back, evening the match. Fairfield controlled much of the third set, but the Falcons came back to knot the stanza at 21-21 on a kill by Kaitlin Jackson. The Stags held off Bowling Green, going on a 4-0 run to close out the match. The run was sparked by three-straight kills from Lopez. 

With the fourth set tied 10-10, the Falcons gained some ground, going on a 5-0 run. Bowling Green controlled the rest of the way, outscoring the Stags 10-3. The fifth and deciding set was a battle between the two squads with four ties. With the score resting at 11-11, the Stags gained the lead on a Falcons attack error. Dirking then put home a set from Balmert for the two-point lead. Bowling Green pulled within 13-12, but Fairfield was able to hang on for the victory. 

Fairfield continues play at the Temple Invitational tomorrow, Sept. 6, with a 10 a.m. match against Army followed by a 5 p.m. meeting with the host Owls.