The Siena Volleyball team closed their weekend at the Holly Young Invitational hosted by the University of New Hampshire on Saturday morning, as the Green and Gold were defeated by the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights by a final score of 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17). Sophomore Greta Stjade had a standout performance for the second straight day, collecting 11 kills en route to a selection to the All-Tournament Team.
 
"We ended up scrambling some lineups to accommodate a couple of injury situations, and that impacted our flow and execution," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "It gave an opportunity to have team leadership emerge and develop under adversity today."
 
The Saints looked to Stjade, as she was able to convert at a 24 percent clip. Graduate student Emily Wunder also put up eight kills and freshman Sara Wagner added six. Claire Isaksen helped facilitate the offense with 17 assists and a eight digs. Junior Gracie Halley finished with a team-high nine digs.
 
Fairleigh Dickinson was led by a 12-kill effort from Miriam Stingl, along with 10 kills from Alix Christie. Allison Koester provided solid defense with 13 digs, while Megan Bushnell tossed out 29 assists. Christie was named to the All-Tournament Team along with Stjade.
 
The Knights got off to a quick start in the first, building up a 7-1 lead. That early deficit would stick throughout the whole first set, as Siena would go down 1-0 early. However, Stjade would score three kills in the set to get her day started, with the Saints struggling as a whole on offense.
 
In the second, Siena battled with Fairleigh Dickinson as neither side held a large lead at any point in the set. The Knights held a three point lead early, but both sides jostled for the lead at the set saw 10 lead changes between the two schools. With the score 21-21, the Knights bounced ahead with a pair of points and held on for the 25-22 lead. The energy for the Saints would not sustain in the third, as Fairleigh Dickinson pulled away once again to take the 25-17 win and sweep on the match.
 
The Saints will return to action next weekend, starting on Friday, Sept. 10 when they play host to The Crowne Plaza Albany – The Desmond Siena Invitational. Saint Francis, Delaware State, and Central Connecticut will all be heading to Loudonville, as the Green and Gold will start against Saint Francis at 11 a.m. on Friday.