FAIRFIELD, Connecticut – The Marist volleyball team lost to first place Fairfield, 3-1 (25-21, 26-28, 25-19, 25-21) in a midweek match Nov. 1.
 
After the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference contest the Red Foxes are 12-13 overall and 9-5 in conference play while the Stags are 18-6 and an unbeaten 13-0 in the MAAC.
 
Turning Points:
Marist capitalized on some Fairfield attack errors, storming out to a 7-3 lead in the opening set. Fairfield countered with a 7-2 scoring spree of its own to go ahead by three and force a Marist timeout. The Red Foxes got to within two points at 21-19, but four of the final six points went to the Stags.
 
Sophomore Nikki DeSerpa caught fire in the second stanza and contributed four kills on a 6-0 Marist run out of the gate. Fairfield tied the score at 10 before Marist enjoyed a trio of five-point leads, the final one coming on a slam by junior Mackenzie O'Brien. The Stags weren't done yet, ripping off eight of the next 11 points to even the score at 24. Marist put away the Stags on its third try, as a kill from O'Brien and a Stags' attack error ended the Stags' 20-set winning streak.
 
Both teams traded points to start the third set, but Fairfield's lead grew to six. Five straight Fairfield attack errors cut the Marist deficit to two at 17-15, but the Stags earned the last four points of the period to get the advantage in the contest.
 
The Red Foxes started off hot in the final frame, getting six of the first eight points. Consecutive aces from junior Taylor van der Biezen padded the Marist advantage. A late momentum shift to Fairfield helped it get eight points on a run interrupted by Red Foxes' timeouts and the Stags eventually pulled away.
 
Inside the Numbers:
-O'Brien tied a career high with 15 kills and dove for a season-high 10 digs.
-DeSerpa slammed 13 kills and had four total blocks.
-Marist led in total blocks 16-9, getting 11 from senior Ashton Korona.
-Fairfield senior Megan Theiller racked up a double-double (13 kills, 16 digs) and led the Stags with two service aces.
                   
Up Next:
Marist will return to McCann Arena to face Canisius and Niagara on Nov. 4 and 5 respectively. First serve for both MAAC matches is set for 1 p.m. Sunday's bout with Niagara will be Senior Day, as the Red Foxes will honor Kelsey Ediger, Korona, and Sydney Rojek for their dedication and commitment to the program.