JERSEY CITY, NJ – The Saint Peter's Peacocks (6-19, 4-14 MAAC) wrapped up their 2024 volleyball season with a hard-fought three-set loss to the MAAC's top-seeded Fairfield Stags (19-11, 17-1 MAAC) on Sunday afternoon. Despite the result, the Peacocks celebrated the contributions of their three seniors—Claudia Conesa Martinez, Madelyn Harrison, and Penelope Rivera—in a heartfelt pre-match ceremony.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Set 1
Fairfield opened the match with a commanding five-point run before the Peacocks got on the board with a block by Maliyah Labrie and Conesa Martinez. Despite strong moments, including a service ace by Lagean Colon and kills from Rivera and Karolina Rodriguez, the Stags maintained control with multiple scoring surges. A determined Peacocks defense held Fairfield at set point with a kill from Conesa Martinez, but the Stags claimed the opener 25-13.
Set 2
Saint Peter's showed early promise in the second set, with Labrie delivering the first kill and Skye Graham adding a solo block. However, Fairfield responded with persistent offensive pressure, highlighted by an eight-point rally that extended their lead. The Peacocks fought back with key defensive plays but couldn't halt the Stags' momentum, dropping the set 25-9.
Set 3
The Peacocks came out swinging in the third set, taking an early lead at 6-4 with a kill from Elena Bilhartz and capitalizing on Fairfield errors. Peacocks battled to stay close midway through the set, however, a series of scoring runs by Fairfield widened the gap, and despite Labrie's late-game kill to hold match point, the Stags closed the set 25-16 to complete the sweep.
Inside the Numbers:
Bilhartz landed five kills on six attempts swinging .833 for the match
Labrie tallied a team high eight kills
Cleopatra Diakou led the Peacocks with 12 assists
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