By Gabbi Riggi

Even after a strong third set rally, the Quinnipiac women’s volleyball team was unable to gain enough momentum to win, ultimately falling to the Fairfield Stags 3-1 (25-18, 25-21, 25-22, 25-16).

In the first two sets, Fairfield (3-8) was able to capitalize on some miscommunication and open court on Quinnipiac (2-10), winning the the first set. The second set started with the Bobcats leading, but the Stags took the second set with a strong four-point run.

The third set started much the same as the second, with Quinnipiac coming out to an early 3-0 lead. This time, the team was able to go on a five-point run led by freshman Emma Ogden (Crown Point, Ind.). Ogden led the team in assists with 33 by the end of the game.

Head coach Kristopher Czaplinski attributed the successful third set to stronger focus on the court.

“They communicated a lot throughout that set and it seemed like they were having fun,” he said. “That’s important.”

The fourth set was all Fairfield, with the team never losing the lead. Though there was strong play by Ogden and Allison Leigh (Palmer, Ala.) the visiting Stags pulled away.

After the match, Czaplinski also complimented the strength of the younger core of underclassmen that played most of the match.

“They’re playing well,” he said. “[There are] small errors that we’re making that make a difference in the game … We just gotta get back on track. We’re getting better.”

Quinnipiac hosts non-conference Hartford Hawks (4-10) this Wednesday at Burt Kahn Court at 7 p.m.