The tension was through the roof as the rematch of last year’s MAAC championship took place at Burt Kahn Court, where Quinnipiac (2-4) lost to Fairfield (9-0) in five sets.

Strong performances from Morgan Sherwin (20 kills) and Aryanah Diaz (17 kills) was not enough for Quinnipiac to pull off the upset, while strong production from Fairfield’s Emily Schillinger (18 kills) and Ella Gardiner (8 blocks) put the Stags over the hump against the Bobcats.

🚨FINAL🚨

Bobcats lose 3-2 against the Stags. They will be playing them again in just 2 hours.

Make sure to tune into the call at 4 p.m.! pic.twitter.com/NSae2pEaoB

— Quinnipiac Bobcats Sports Network (@QBSN) March 28, 2021

This matchup was a true David vs. Goliath match, with the Stags being undefeated and the Bobcats being under .500. However, the Bobcats did not let this phase them, as they had a strong start against the MAAC champions, controlling the tempo and winning the first set 25-15.

The second set was extremely competitive with both teams trading points. However, the Bobcats committing seven attacking errors was the factor that gave the Stags the second set, winning it 25-22.

The competitiveness and animosity did not wane going into the third set. Sherwin displayed her leadership with her four kills as Quinnipiac took the set and were one set away from pulling off the big upset.

Now having to complete the comeback, the Stags used the fourth set to really flex their horns. Led by Schillinger’s decisive five kills and the Bobcats’ seven attacking errors, the Stags kept the hopes of a win alive.

Time for the fifth and final set.

This one felt straight out of movie with this MAAC championship rematch going to fifth set, only the second fifth set that Fairfield has been in all season. Nevertheless, the Stags kept their momentum from the previous set to defeat the Bobcats 15-9.

The Bobcats will hope to get their revenge in a couple hours as they face the Stags again in the second match of their doubleheader.