Nov. 18, 2006
Final Stats
Junior Nadiege Honore soared to collect a perfect set from teammate April London and delivered an emphatic kill to seal Siena's surprising 3-2 (30-24, 30-25, 21-30, 15-30, 15-12) MAAC Championship match victory over Fairfield late Saturday afternoon at the Milk House in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Siena advances to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and the third time in program history.
"I am very proud with how our team performed all week and how we stayed together," head coach Garvey Pierre said. "This is another major step forward for our program. We are pleased to add another MAAC Championship to Siena's rich volleyball history."
Honore led the Saints with 19 kills. Senior Christie Gustafson had 12 as did freshman Burgandy McCurty.
For a brief moment, it appeared the Saints might capture the title with shocking ease. Siena won the first two games, 30-24 and 30-25, carrying momentum into the 10-minute intermission.
Fairfield fought back to win the third and fourth games decisively, 30-21 and 30-15.
The Stags had four players with double figure kills. Kelly Oliver, Lindsey Lee and Katie Mann each had 16.
Siena seized control of the fifth game with four early points behind freshman Kaui Robello's service. Siena had an 8-4 lead when the team's switched sides.
Fairfield cut the lead to 10-8, but could get no closer, and, after a Siena timeout, Honore finished the match.
Gustafson had 10 of her 15 kills in the first two games to get the Saints off and running. The Stags then adjusted to the outside, freeing the middle and back row for London, who took advantage in the fifth game as Pierre moved Honore back. London had 47 kills, 15 digs and five blocks.
Siena controlled a surprising 14-8 advantage in blocks. Fairfield held an equally unexpected 7-3 edge in service aces.
Fairfield had not lost a conference match all season, dropping just one game in its 18 conference matches (at Siena early in the season). The Stags won their previous two MAAC Tournament matches in three games as did the Saints.
Siena will learn where it is headed in the 64-team NCAA Tournament Sunday, November 26 between 3-4 p.m. on ESPN News. The Saints won their sixth MAAC title. Siena previously captured the conference crown in 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 2005.
