Fairfield volleyball team hands out end-of-year awards

FAIRFIELD - The volleyball season at Fairfield was not as successful as Trojan faithful may have wanted, but it was a more successful season than many thought possible because it was a complete season.

With the coronavirus lurking about, the Trojans won 12 matches and lost 21, finishing third in the Southeast Conference Tournament as well as the regular season.

The Trojans named their most valuable player as Anna Dunlap, the only Trojan to start every match. Dunlap, Danielle Breen and Mallory Lyon played in every set (79) this season. Dunlap had 134 digs while Breen had 235.

Fairfield named Macy Rayburn as the most improved. She had 57 kills and 37 blocks.

The Hustle Award was earned by Danielle Breen, who had 50 kills, while the Spirit Award was shared by Sara Kretz (34 digs) and Mallory Lyon. Lyon recorded 66 kills and had team-highs with 55 blocks, 33 block assists, and 22 solo blocks.

Dunlap and Olivia Jones (29 blocks, 124 digs) shared an award as both were named best offensive player. Dunlap had a Fairfield-high 162 kills and Jones 116.

The Best Defensive Player Award went to Kiya Robertson, leader in digs at 248. She was best in serve receive at 59 percent (159-of-268) with Dunlap at 54 (136-of-252) and Breen at 53 (64-of-123).

The 2020 captain was Maddie Jones, who had 92 digs and led the team in assists with 252. Brynley Allison had 171 assists.

Two players earned the Coaches' Award as Ellie Anderson (34 digs, 34 blocks, 80 kills) and Lauren Kramer (65 digs) shared the honor.

Maddie Jones and Robertson were the leading servers with each having 207-of-216 successful serves for a 96 percent rate. Jones had 22 aces as did Breen.

Rayburn was the kill efficiency leader at .206 while Dunlap hit at a .156 rate and Breen .128.

The Trojans had 11 players make the Southeast Conference All-Academic Team and one, Lauren Kraemer, make All-State, which requires a 3.85 grade-point average or higher. All-Conference is juniors and seniors with 3.25 GPA or higher. Those were Allison, Hannah Bergren, Dunlap, Kraemer, Lyon, Anderson, Sophie Stever, Sarah McAvan, Breen, Olivia Jones and Sophie Wallerich.