Fairfield University - Syracuse University Athletics

2010 Opponent Preview

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange opens the 2010 season on the road for the XX time in program history, traveling to nearby Hamilton, N.Y. for three games over the course of two days. SU squares off against Fairfield University in the season opener on Friday, August 27 at 7 p.m.

Series Information
Inaugural Meeting: 2001
Last Meeting: 2001
All-Time Series: Syracuse Leads, 1-0

The Colgate Tournament will be the second all-time meeting between the two teams ... The Stags attended the season-opening Orange Invitational in 2001, where Syracuse triumphed in a come-from-behind five set thriller (30-27, 20-30, 29-31, 31-29, 15-12) on September 1.

Noteworthy
- Though the two teams have never met during her brief tenure, Fairfield head coach Alija Pittenger already has some experience coaching against the Orange, having spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Pittsburgh ... Pittenger coached with the Panthers from 2003-07, helping guide the squad to a BIG EAST title and back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances.

Stags at a Glance
Head Coach	Alija Pittenger
Overall Record (Seasons)	39-25 (2)
Record at Fairfield (Seasons)	39-25 (2)
Conference	MAAC
2009 Record	19-12
2009 Postseason Finish	MAAC Semifinal
Starters Ret./Lost
Letterwinners Ret./Lost
Newcomers

2009 Team Statistics
	Stat	NCAA	MAAC
Kills/Set	12.7	133rd	4th
Hitting Pct.	.211	121st	4th
Assists/Set	11.9	119th	4th
Service Aces/Set	1.6	30th	3rd
Digs/Set	15.4	103rd	6th
Blocks/Set	1.6	257th	7th

Returning Stat Leaders
	Brianna Dixon \| 5-8 \| So. \| OH/RS 3.00 k/s, .136 pct., 2.41 d/s, 0.54 b/s
	Lauren Balmert \| 5-9 \| Jr. \| S 9.18 a/s, 0.61 k/s, .247 pct., 1.95 d/s
	Kara Reis \| 5-9 \| So. \| DS 4.50 d/s, 0.32 a/s