With the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) schedule heating up, Fairfield University’s men’s and women’s tennis teams are locked in for a critical two-match road trip this week. The Stags will travel to Rider University on Friday, April 4, before heading north to face Siena College on Sunday, April 6. Both matchups carry major weight for playoff positioning as the regular season enters its second half.
The Fairfield men’s team heads into the weekend riding a wave of momentum. Winners of five straight, the Stags are 2–0 in MAAC play and fresh off a thrilling 4–3 road win over Niagara. Sophomore Domagoj Stabek clinched the victory with a gritty three-set battle at sixth singles, capping a performance that showcased the team’s depth and determination.
Next up is a Rider squad that has struggled in recent years. The Stags swept the Broncs 7–0 last season and will look to replicate that dominance on Thursday. After that, they’ll take on a much-improved Siena team that pushed Quinnipiac to the brink earlier this spring.
The Fairfield men are looking to build on last year’s success, where they finished a perfect 6–0 in MAAC play and reached the championship match, ultimately falling to Quinnipiac 4–2.
With Junior Alex Aguiar and Senior Sam Hodges leading the way in doubles and consistent play across the singles lineup, the Fairfield men are focused on keeping their unbeaten conference record intact.
On the women’s side, the Stags bring plenty of energy and optimism after opening MAAC play with a commanding 7–0 sweep over Merrimack. The victory was a big boost for a squad that has weathered one of the region’s toughest non-conference slates.
“Getting a clean sweep against Merrimack last week definitely felt great,” said senior Lucie Tuttle. “It was a nice start to MAAC play.”
Tuttle, one of the team’s emotional leaders, highlighted the group’s progress.
“This team is very young, but crazy talented,” she said. “I would say all 10 of us have been really good at just rolling with the punches this season. We’ve played some really tough teams and had quite a few close losses. However, we’ve held our heads high, worked hard every day, and I think it’s definitely going to pay off this season.”
That resilience will be key this week. Rider’s women’s team, despite a 7–9 record, has shown flashes of promise, while Siena is coming off a strong stretch that includes wins over Sacred Heart, Mount St. Mary’s, and Merrimack.
Adding to the challenge is the fact that both matchups will be played outdoors, where conditions can be unpredictable and demanding.
“Like most MAAC teams, Rider and Siena are very gritty and will do anything they can to win,” Tuttle said. “Especially outdoors, the conditions make it tough on both teams. It’s really important that we buckle down, use our strengths, and play as one!”
If the Stags can bring that energy and unity to the court, they’ll have a strong chance to come out on top. Saturday’s showdown with Siena carries extra significance—it’s a rematch of last year’s MAAC Championship semifinal, which the Fairfield women won 4–2 en route to capturing the 2024 MAAC title. The Lady Stags edged out Quinnipiac 4–3 in the final, securing their 11th conference championship and a spot in the NCAA tournament.
With only a few matches left before the postseason, the stakes are high. Wins this week could go a long way in securing top seeds for the MAAC Tournament and building momentum for the final stretch.
For now, the Stags’ mission is to show up, compete hard, and keep pushing forward.
“These matches are big,” said Tuttle, “but we’re ready.”
Fairfield is scheduled to face Rider at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, then travel to Siena for a Sunday matchup also slated for noon. Fans can follow along with live stats and updates on the official Fairfield Athletics website.
