JERSEY CITY, N.J. – After playing its first three conference games on the road, the Saint Peter's volleyball team (5-9, 0-3 MAAC) returns to Run Baby Run Arena this weekend to take on Fairfield (9-4, 3-0 MAAC) and Sacred Heart (3-12, 0-3 MAAC). The Peacocks will go up against the Stags on Friday at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the Pioneers on Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Peacocks have had a challenging start to MAAC play, but they are more locked in than ever to secure a win at home this weekend. Saint Peter's will have to rely on their defensive front with the duo of
Karolina T. Rodriguez Mendez and
Elena Bilhartz, who both rank top-five in the MAAC in blocks per set.
With the return of
Valeria Pagan Munoz, the Peacocks should improve their offensive attack as she'll provide help to
Sibana Gonzalez Acevedo and
Indira T. Benitez Dumeng. Gonzalez Acevedo continues to lead Saint Peter's in kills with 150.
ABOUT THE STAGS
The Stags have jumped out to a 3-0 start in conference play, taking down Merrimack, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart all at home. This will be the first road conference test for Fairfield. The Stags have three players in the top 10 of the MAAC in hitting percentage, and also have the conference leader in blocks per set, Harlan Wyche. Their leader in kills is Allie Elliott with 158, and she also has the second most digs on the team with 128.
Fairfield is coached by Nancy Somera, who is in her third season as the head coach of the Stags.
ABOUT THE PIONEERS
Like the Peacocks, the Pioneers are still searching for their first in-conference win. Sacred Heart has fallen to Quinnipiac, Merrimack and Fairfield in four sets to start MAAC play. The Pioneers' three wins on the season came against LIU, NJIT and Central Connecticut State. Their duo of Ryleigh Short and Abbie Hagedorn lead the team in kills while Miliani Villarreal leads them in digs while also ranking second in the MAAC in digs per set.
Sacred Heart is coached by Rob Machan, who is in his 18th season as the head coach of the Pioneers.
NOTES
The Peacocks are 9-53 all-time vs. Fairfield and 5-22 against the Stags at home… the last time Saint Peter's defeated Fairfield was Nov. 14, 2010…the Peacocks are 0-2 all-time vs. Sacred Heart and 0-1 against the Pioneers at home.
