LAKE BUENA VISTA Fla. - For the second-straight year, Siena College dashed Fairfield University's hopes of a MAAC Championship this afternoon with a 3-2 (30-24, 30-25, 21-30, 15-30, 15-12) victory at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex. With the loss, the Stags' had their 20-match winning streak against conference opponents snapped.
Juniors Kelly Oliver (San Diego, Calif./La Jolla), Lindsey Lee (Hilo, Hawaii/St. Joseph), Jazmin Pa'akaula (Hilo, Hawaii/St. Joseph) and freshman Barbie Thistle (Bakersfield, Calif./Bakersfield) each posted double-doubles. Oliver had 16 kills and 11 digs, Lee had 16 kills and 18 digs, Pa'akaula had 12 kills and 11 digs while Thistle tied a career-high with 57 assists and 11 digs.
Freshman Katie Mann (Del Mar, Calif./Torrey Pines) added 16 kills while Brandi Higa (Honolulu, Hawaii/Hawaii Baptist Academy) chipped in with 10 digs. Senior Natalie Barba (Austin, Texas/Westwood) notched six kills along with four total blocks.
Lee, Pa'akaula and Thistle were named to the MAAC All-Tournament for their efforts.
The Stags held a 71-54 advantage in kills and a 7-3 advantage in aces, but Siena out-blocked Fairfield 14-8.
Siena came out strong in the first game, opening up a 21-16 lead. Fairfield cut the gap to 21-19 which prompted a timeout by the Saints. Out of the break, the Saints quickly pushed the lead to 26-20 and were able to fight off the Stags.
The second game started off in a see-saw battle, but Siena was able o open an 18-13 lead. Fairfield would chip away at the lead pulling within 28-25, but the Saints took the second game.
The Stags dusted themselves off in games three and four taking both games in strong fashion. In game three, Fairfield opened up a huge18-9 lead and never looked back. The Stags decimated the Saints in game four to tie the match at two games apiece. Fairfield took an early 11-6 lead when Thistle stepped to the line to serve the next five points. The Stags continued to roll out to a 20-9 lead and cruised for the win.
Siena opened the final game with a 7-3 lead. The Stags cut the margin to 10-8 but the Saints stopped the run. Pa'akaula helped stave off match point with a kill to pull the Stags within 14-12, but the Saints took the match on a Fairfield error.
The MAAC All-Academic selections were announced at a post-tournament banquet. Senior Kiana Kauwe (Honolulu, Hawaii/Kamehameha) was named to the All-Academic Team for the third time while Barba and Oliver earned their second selections.
Fairfield (23-7) is not quite finished with their 2006 campaign as they will travel to the Miami (Ohio) Thanksgiving Classic held November 24-25.
