LOUDONVILLE, NY – A day after a nail biter against Quinnipiac, the Siena Saints found themselves pitted against the defending MAAC champion Fairfield Stags. Despite a 3-0 result (25-16, 25-23, 25-21), the Saints battled in each set as Siena topped Fairfield in blocks, 7-6.
 
Fairfield's KJ Johnson led all offensive players with 13 kills on the afternoon, while Allie Elliott added 10 kills. Elliott also added 12 digs for a double-double – ending as one of four Stags with 12 digs. Sophomore Ece Emrullah finished with a team-high eight kills, hitting .313 on the afternoon. Senior Gracie Halley recorded 20 digs for the fifth time this season.
 
The Stags commanded the first set, taking the early 1-0 lead in the match with a 25-16 win. In the second, Siena pushed the Stags to the brink as the set stood 23-all late. With the Saints looking to tie things up, Fairfield took advantage of a service error from the Saints and got a kill from Elliott to finish off the set 25-23 to go up 2-0.
 
Fairfield finished things off in the third, despite a late push from the Saints. With the Stags sitting with an 18-11 lead, a small 4-0 run by Siena pulled the Green and Gold within three, 18-15. The Saints would almost pull even as they eventually got within a point at 22-21 following a pair of attack errors and a service ace from Meghan Johnsson. However, the Stags ran off a 3-0 run at the end and closed the door to secure the win.
 
Siena returns to action this Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the UHY Center when they play host to Crosstown rival UAlbany in their final non-conference matchup of the season.