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20 2011 Stags Volleyball
2011 InReview
ABOUT THE 2011MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP
The second-seeded Stags advanced to the finals of the 2011 MAACChampionship which
was hosted by Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, N.J. Fairfield fell to top-seeded Niagara
University, 3-1, as the Purple Eagles won their third-straight MAAC title.
FAIRFIELD& THEMAAC CHAMPIONSHIP
Fairfield had a string of MAACChampionships between 1997-2001. Since then, the Stags
have gone 23-14 in MAACChampionship action. Eight of those losses have come in the
MAACChampionship final, including five-straight between 2004-08.
20-WINSEASON
With their semifinal victory over Siena on November 19, Fairfield recorded its 11th 20-win
season in program history. It is the first 20-win season since 2008 when Head Coach Alija
Pittenger led the Stags to a 20-13 overall mark and a 16-2MAAC record.
ANACONDA SPORTS COACHOF THE YEAR
Head Coach Alija Pittenger was named the 2011 Anaconda Sports Coach of the Year as
selectedby theMAACheadcoaches. Inher fourthseasonat thehelm,Pittenger ledtheStags
to a 20-10 overall record and 16-2 MAAC record. She is 72-55 overall at Fairfield which
includes a58-14MAAC record. The last Fairfieldhead coach tobenamedCoachof the Year
was Jeff Werneke who garnered the award in 2006 and 2007.
MAACROOKIEOF THE YEAR
Freshman CaitlinStapletonwas named the2011MAACRookie of the Year. She had an out-
standing rookie campaign, averaging 2.49 kills per set and notched total blocks with 75,
good for secondon the team. Stapletonwasnamed theMAACRookieof theWeek twiceand
has recorded at least eight kills in 17 of her last 18matches. Stapleton is the first Rookie of
the Year since 2009 when Brianna Dixion earned the honor.
MAAC SETTEROF THE YEAR
SetterRachelRomanskyhadanexcellent sophomorecampaignappearing ineverysetwhile
averaging 10.76 assists per set en route toMAACSetter of the Year honors. Romansky also
averaged 2.61 digs per set and collected 96 kills, 41 total blocks, and 23 aces while leading
the teamwith15double-doubles. She is fifthall-timeat Fairfield in career assistswith2,332
and has missed just one set in her entire career (234). The last Stag to be named MAAC
Setter of the Year was Barbie Thistle who earned the honor in both 2006 and 2007.
MOREMAACPOSTSEASONHONORS
Senior Kendal Dirkin was named First Team All-MAAC while junior Brianna Dixion, Rachel
Romansky, and Caitlin Stapleton were named to the All-MAAC Second Team. Stapletonwas
also named to the inaugural MAAC All-Rookie Team.
MAAC CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT HONORS
Setter Rachel Romansky and libero Kara Reis were named to the MAAC Championship All-
Tournament Team. Romansky notched two double-doubles for the Stags while Reis had 37
digs over twomatches. Romansky earnedanAll-Tournament bid for the second consecutive
season.
MAACACADEMICHONORS
Four Stags were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team – seniors Lauren Balmert and
Kendal Dirkin earned the accolade for the third-straight year while senior Bethany Steiger
earned it for the second time. Sophomore HayleyMoyer earned the award for the first time.
CAPITAL ONE/COSIDAACADEMICALL-DISTRICT
For the third consecutive year, LaurenBalmert receivedCollegeSports InformationDirectors
of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District I honors. She was named to the Capital One
Academic All-District® First Team for the first time and earned a spot on the national ballot
for Capital One Academic All-America consideration. She was also chosen as the MAAC
Student-Athlete of theWeek for the week of November 7.
A Look Back
The Stags posted 20 victories and returned to the MAAC Championship final