Box Score

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Fairfield University volleyball team suffered a tough 3-0 (25-18, 25-21, 25-20) loss at Canisius College this afternoon in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) action. With the loss, Stags fall into a tie for first place with an 11-2 record in the conference and drop to 14-12 overall, while the third-place Griffs improve to 10-4 in the league and 15-8 overall.

Freshman Haililani Pokipala (Honolulu, Hawaii) recorded her first career double-double with a season-best 10 kills and 10 digs to pace the Stags. Junior Katie Mann (Del Mar, Calif.) had eight kills while senior Karlie Urbaniak (Canton, Minn.) added seven kills, 12 digs, and three total blocks.

Freshman Kendal Dirkin (Oak Park, Ill.) added five kills and three blocks while classmate Lauren Balmert (Cranberry Twp., Pa.) had 25 assists and eight digs. In her collegiate debut, freshman Amanda Steiger (Cary, Ill.) had eight digs, three kills, and two assists. Senior Brandi Higa (Honolulu, Hawaii) had 25 digs on the day.

Canisius opened the first set by jumping out to an 11-3 lead. Fairfield fought back, pulling within 19-17 on a kill by Popkipala, but a 3-0 run by the Griffs put the frame out of reach. The second set was a bit closer with five ties and three lead changes. With the score tied 17-17, Canisius used a 5-0 run to gain ground and hang on for the win. Fairfield appeared to bounce back at the start of the third set by notching the first six points, but Canisius responded with an impressive 12-4 run. The Stags fought back and tied the set 12-12, but was unable to regain the lead.

Canisius out-blocked Fairfield, 6-5. The Griffs hit .218 while holding the Stags to an attack percentage of .118. The Canisius victory snapped a five-match skid against Fairfield.

Fairfield returns to action tomorrow, November 2, at Niagara.