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2012 Stags Volleyball 17
and rookie Nicole Marzik on offense. Coffey received a lot of valuable
playing time early in the year and got off to a hot start, being named
to both the UNH and Hofstra Invitational All-Tournament Teams. She
ultimately appeared in 24 matches and posted 214 kills (2.67) and
191 digs (2.39/s) last season.
Peizer had her freshman campaign interrupted by an injury that
sidelined her for nearly a month. Peizer was able to come back and
give the Stags crucial depth down the stretch.
Marzik is coming off a strong senior season at Prosper High School
in Texas in which she garnered All-State honors.
The Stags offense will be set in motion by the strong passing of sen-
ior libero Kara Reis. For the last three years, Reis has been the most
consistent Stag on the court. She led Fairfield with 451 digs (4.65/s)
for the seventh-highest single-season effort in program history. Reis
enters her final season ranked seventh all-time at Fairfield in career
digs (1,356) and first in digs per set (4.07). While the Stags have relied
on Reis for her passing abilities, they've also relied on the intangibles
she brings.
“Kara has a tremendous court presence, bringing energy and
enthusiasm,” Pittenger said. “The confidence she has in herself and in
her teammates has made her a great leader. She picks her team-
mates up when they are down and keeps them up with things are
going well.”
Senior Stephanie Cruz also brings energy to the court and will be
used in key defensive situations. Fairfield has added defensive help
with Carsen Mata who returns for her second season as a Stag. Last
season, Mata appeared in all 30 matches and recorded 279 digs. She
was key at the service line, tallying a team-high 30 aces.
“Carsen was a great addition for us last season,” Pittenger said.
“She is good all around player. We expect her to continue to be one of
our most consistent players.”
Consistency in the middle will be crucial for the Stags as junior
Hayley Moyer, sophomore Lindsay Weaver, and freshman Maddie
FitzPatrick will all vie for time.
Moyer, who stands at 6-foot-0, appeared in 17 matches with 12
starts and finished with 25 total blocks and 62 kills. Weaver, who is
also six feet tall, appeared in 25 matches with 18 starts and collected
161 kills and 58 total blocks during her rookie campaign.
The 6-foot-2 FitzPatrick was a two-time All-Conference selection at
Evanston Township High School in Illinois. She had 261 kills, 72 digs
and 36 aces as a senior captain. After spending a year studying at the
University of Illinois, FitzPatrick will begin her first season of collegiate
volleyball as a Stag.
Fairfield will have all the elements in place to tackle a tough 2012
schedule which features five NCAA Tournament participants. The year
will be capped off by 2012 MAAC Championship in which the Stags will
host at Alumni Hall.
“We have put together a challenging non-conference schedule and
we'll definitely be tested early. But facing that caliber of competition at
the beginning of the year will help us prepare for our MAAC season,”
said Pittenger.
The Stags begin the season at the Duke Invitational, August 24-25,
with their first match of the season coming against the University of
Wisconsin-Milwaukee.The Panthers captured the 2012 Horizon
League Championship en route to their ninth NCAA Tournament berth.
Fairfield will also face the host Blue Devils, who secured their seventh
consecutive NCAA Tournament berth last season, and Colonial Athletic
Association (CAA) foe College of William & Mary.
Fairfield will then stop at the UConn Classic, August 31-September
1, where it will face squads from Michigan State University, who
advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last season,
UConn, and Dartmouth College.
The Stags will also play in the Sacred Heart Hampton Inn Shelton
Invitational, September 7-8. The tournament features a rematch
against Dartmouth along with contests against Conference-USA foe
University of Central Florida and the cross-town rival Pioneers, the two-
time defending NEC Champions.
Fairfield opens action against the MAAC at Alumni Hall on
September 15 when it hosts Saint Peter's College. Manhattan College
visits Fairfield the following day. Fairfield takes to the road for five
matches beginning with a stop at Siena on September 19.
Siena and Marist College visit Alumni Hall October 6-7, marking the
Stags' last home matches until November. Fairfield closes out the reg-
ular season slate with five consecutive home contests against Iona
College, Rider University, Loyola University Maryland, Niagara, and
Canisius College. The November 11 contest against the Golden
Griffins will mark Senior Day for the Stags.
The top four teams in the final regular season standings will vie for
an automatic NCAA berth during 2012 MAAC Championship which will
be held November 17-18 at Alumni Hall. The Stags last hosted the
MAAC Championship in 2007.
“We’re really excited to be hosting the MAAC Championship this
season. It’s such a great event,” Pittenger said. “We’re looking forward
to our fans coming out to support it.”