Nov. 24, 2006
OXFORD, Ohio - Four Stags recorded double-doubles as the Fairfield volleyball team returned to its winning ways by knocking off the host RedHawks, 3-1 (30-22, 26-30, 30-24, 30-24), during the opening day of play at the Miami (Ohio) Thanksgiving Invitational. With the win, Fairfield improves to 24-7 on the season while the RedHawks fall to 13-18 on the year.
Juniors Kelly Oliver, Lindsey Lee and Jazmin Pa'akaula and freshman Barbie Thistle each posted double-doubles while sophomore Brandi Higa recorded a career-high 28 digs on the day.
Oliver tallied 17 kills and 11 digs while Lee tallied 14 kills and 18 digs along with three service aces. Pa'akaula notched 12 kills and 10 digs while Thistle posted 52 assists and 10 digs along with three aces. Freshman Katie Mann was also in double-digits with 12 kills.
Trailing 19-16, in the first game, Thistle sparked a 6-0 run with a kill and capped it off with an ace to give Fairfield a 21-19 advantage. The Stags would continue to roll, out-scoring the Redhawks 9-3 the rest of the way for the win.
In the second game, Miami clawed back from an 18-13 deficit to take a 21-18 lead on a kill by Carli Reihman. The Stags would cut the gap to 21-20, but the RedHawks were able to hold off the Stags and even the match at a game apiece.
Game three was close almost the entire way but the Stags gained momentum late to take the third set. Fairfield was leading 20-22, when the Stags went on a crucial 4-0 run to gain some breathing room. Though Miami held off Fairfield's three attempts at game point, Oliver sealed the win with a kill.
Fairfield came out forcefully in game four, opening up a 9-2 lead to start and never looked back. The Stags continued to tack on the points, picking up the match victory by a 30-24 score.
The Stags will conclude their 2006 season tomorrow, November 25, when they take on Valparaiso at 10 a.m. on the final day of play at the Miami Thanksgiving Invitational.
