FAIRFIELD, CT - Host Fairfield University took advantage of a .398 hitting percentage this afternoon to upend the Iona College volleyball team 3-0 (16-25, 15-25, 22-25) during MAAC Conference action.

Claire Archibald was the lone Gael (10-15, 8-5 MAAC) to reach double-digit kills this afternoon with 11 to go along with a team-best nine digs. Jamie Smith served for three aces while also adding 10 assists, five kills and three blocks (one solo, two assisted). Karla Johnson also posted three blocks, all assisted, to pair with her six kills. 

Skylar Day connected on 18 kills on 30 attempts towards a .500 hitting percentage for the Stags (16-6, 11-0 MAAC) who maintained their undefeated conference record and extended to 38 straight regular season MAAC wins, dating back to 2015. Day also added nine digs while Megan Theiller finished with 12 kills and seven digs. Manuela Nicolini set for 39 assists and Taylor Rudeen collected 19 digs.

Already holding a four-point advantage in the first set, Fairfield closed out the opening set victory with the final five points to earn a 25-16 win capped off by back-to-back blocks from Nicolini and Kaylie Butts. Day totaled six kills in the victory in addition to five from Theiller as Nicolini also picked up 11 assists. Archibald and Tess Connolly helped the Iona effort with three kills each while Archibald also added six digs. Smith posted all three of her blocks in the match during the first set. The Stags totaled 16 kills in the frame with a .364 hitting percentage.

The hitting percentage continued to improve for Fairfield into the second set as the hosts matched the kill number with 16, this time behind a .387 hitting percentage. The attack helped break a 7-7 tie and quickly create a 19-7 advantage with a 12-0 run with Sonja Radulovic stringing together three straight aces in the spurt. Day and Theiller once again led the Stags' attack with respective kills of six and five. 

Looking to avoid the sweep, the Maroon & Gold scored six of the first eight points following an ace from Archibald. Fairfield continued to chip at the deficit, eventually tying the set at 16 before the two teams traded points up to a 22-22 score. With the score tied, the Stags finished off the set and match with the final three points with a block from Day and Luci Albertson and two straight kills by Day. 

The Gaels return to the road next weekend with a trip to Western New York to face Niagara and Canisius. The trip opens on Saturday with a 1:00 pm first against the Purple Eagles on Lewiston, NY.