Sept. 28, 2006
Weekly Release
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Fairfield will look to stay undefeated in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) this weekend as the Stags host two important conference matches in Alumni Hall. The Stags open play against on Sept. 30 at 6 p.m. followed by Canisius on Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. The first 100 students through the door for Saturday's match against Niagara will receive a free t-shirt.
Last Time Out - Fairfield was last on the court on Sept. 21 when the Stags posted a 3-0 (30-21, 30-20, 30-13) win at Manhattan to improve to 3-0 in the MAAC. In a total team effort, the Stags presented a strong defensive front, holding the Jaspers to a .043 attack percentage and out-blocking them, 8-3. Junior Lauren Campbell and freshman Katie Mann each posted four total blocks on the night. Fairfield also held a 45-39 advantage in digs with libero Brandi Higa tallying 13 of those digs. As a team, Fairfield hit .396 with 45 kills and just seven errors in 96 total attempts. The Stags also had nine service aces as Mann led the way with three.
A Peek at the Purple Eagles- Niagara (2-9, 0-4) enters Saturday's contest in the middle of a six-match losing streak. The Purple Eagles were last in action on Sept. 24 when they fell to Loyola, 3-1(30-32, 30-27, 24-30, 30-32). Junior Sara Mancini, who is second in the conference in digs, was named the MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25. The libero averaged 5.42 digs per game in three matches, including 26 against Loyola and a career-best 29 against Loyola. Junior Jessica Piscitelli leads the MAAC in aces, averaging 1.03 per game. As a team, Niagara is hitting just .102.
Fairfield vs. Niagara- Fairfield holds a 14-3 advantage over Niagara in a series that dates back to 1991. The two teams last met in the semifinals of the 2005 MAAC Championship as the Stags pulled out a 3-0 victory. The Purple Eagles have dropped 12-straight to the Stags, last defeating Fairfield on Oct. 29, 1995.
Golden Griff Gab- Canisius is off to one of its best starts in recent memory. At 9-6 overall and 3-1 in the MAAC, the Griffs have matched their win total from one year ago. Canisius has several players among the conference statistical leaders including senior Leigh Launhardt who was named the MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 25. It is the fourth-straight week a Canisius player has been named the MAAC's Defensive Player of the Week, with Launhardt garnering two of those four awards. Not only does Launhardt lead the MAAC in blocks and hitting percentage, but she also is eighth in the nation in blocks per game. As a team, the Griffs are out-blocking opponents, 158-90.5 and holding them to a .142 attack percentage.
Fairfield vs. Canisius- Fairfield holds a 12-6 advantage over Canisius in a series that dates back to 1989. Last season, the Griffs snapped a lengthy nine-match losing streak to the Stags last season with a 3-2 (30-21, 30-24, 13-30, 29-31, 15-13) win last season at home.
Stopping the Attack- The Stags have held opponents to a hitting percentage under .100 in their last three contests. Rider hit just .038 while Saint Peter's hit .098. Fairfield also held Manhattan to a .043 attack percentage.
Big MAAC Attack-Since 2002, the Stags have gone 32-7 against MAAC opponents during the regular season.
MAAC Weekly Honors- Outside hitter Lindsey Lee and setter Barbie Thistle picked up their second weekly honors of the season as they were named the MAAC Offensive Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, on Sept. 25. Lee had a solid week averaging 4.50 kills and 4.33 digs along with a .478 attack percentage while Thistle averaged 12.50 assists and 1.83 kills and registered a .611 attack percentage. Lee and Thistle garnered the Stags' first weekly honors of the year on Aug. 28 as Lee was named Defensive Player of the Week while Thistle was named Rookie of the Week. Freshman Katie Mann also earned a nod from the conference as she was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week on Sept. 5.
Looking Ahead- Fairfield travels to MAAC leader Siena on Oct. 7 before returning to Alumni Hall to take on Loyola on Oct. 8. The Stags also will be home the following weekend hosting Marist on Oct. 14 and Iona on Oct. 15.
