Oct. 13, 2006
Undefeated in conference play, the Stags will look to stay that way this weekend as they host a pair of MAAC matches at Alumni Hall. The competition begins on October 14 with a showdown with Marist. Fairfield will then host Iona on October 15. Both matches will begin at 2 p.m.
Fairfield vs. Marist:The Stags have taken four out of the last five meetings with the Red Foxes. Last season, Fairfield picked up the 3-1 victory in the MAAC opener in Alumni Hall. Marist last defeated the Stags on Oct. 8, 2003 when the Red Foxes pulled out a 3-2 (30-25, 33-31, 17-30, 22-30, 15-11) victory.
Fairfield vs. Iona: The two teams have split that last six meetings. Last season, Fairfield notched the 3-0 victory on the road during the final regular season conference match. The Gaels knocked off the Stags in the 2004 MAAC Championships with a 3-0 win to deny Fairfield's attempt for the conference title.
Last Time Out: Fairfield won its seventh-straight match and improved to 7-0 in the MAAC as the Stags cruised to a 3-0 (30-12, 30-24, 30-16) victory against Loyola on Oct. 8 at Alumni Hall. Fairfield received double-double efforts from juniors Jazmin Pa'akaula and Lindsey Lee while three other Stags were in double figures.
Big MAAC Attack: Fairfield has been dominant in its seven conference matches this season. So far, the Stags are averaging 5.1 more kills per game and holding opponents to an attack percentage of .095 while hitting .279. Fairfield is also out-blocking league foes 63-33 and is averaging 1.5 more aces per game. Since 2001, the Stags have gone 44-8 against MAAC opponents during the regular season.
MAAC Weekly Honors:For the second time in three weeks and the third time this season, setter Barbie Thistle was named the Volleyball Rookie of the Week. Thistle averaged 13.57 assists, 2.19 digs and 1.57 aces while hitting .414. Thistle was named the Rookie of the Week on August 28 and September 15.
Career Milestone Watch: Junior Lindsey Lee has moved within four kills of recording her 1,000th career kill. She will be only the seventh Stag to reach the plateau and only the fifth to reach the century mark in both kills and digs. Senior Natalie Barba is also making her move up the career charts. Last weekend, Barba moved into third on Fairfield's career total blocks list with 309 and with 262 block assists, she is now just four away from tying Corrine Carlson for second on the all-time list.
Climbing the Career Charts: Senior Natalie Barba is working her way up the Fairfield blocking charts. With 13 blocks last weekend, Barba moved into third on Fairfield's career total blocks list with 309 and with 262 block assists, she is now just four away from tying Corrine Carlson for second on the all-time list. Laura Gleason holds both the total blocks (568) and block assists (284) records.
