Fairchild, Lahr Named Atlantic 10 Player, Rookie of the Week

League Release

Newport News, Va. – Sophomore right side hitter Olivia Fairchild, the Atlantic 10's reigning Rookie of the Year, has picked up right where she left off a year ago, being named the 2017 season's first Player of the Week, after leading the Rams to a perfect three-match sweep at the New Orleans Invitational over the weekend. Freshman McKenna Lahr was also integral to the three victories and was honored with the A-10 Rookie of the Week award, it was announced on Monday afternoon.
 
"It was a good opening weekend for the team and it's nice to see Fairchild and McKenna being honored,"Hhead coach Gini Ullery-Shrift said, "Liv has power and have seen a lot of growth in her from last season to now. She is getting smarter every day. McKenna has been very consistent every single time she steps in the gym. She is a competitor and continues to make her teammates better daily."
 
Fordham tallied three straight wins to begin a season for the first time since 2010 and first time under Ullery-Shrift. The Rams defeated both Southeast Missouri State, 3-1, and the hosts, New Orleans, 3-2, on Friday before downing Alcorn State in straight sets on Saturday afternoon.
 
Fairchild and Lahr were both named to the All-Tournament team for their efforts. Fairchild notched 52 total kills at an average of 4.33 per set, doing so efficiently with an attack percentage of .427 for the weekend. The sophomore added seven service aces, including six in the season opener, tying the program record for a four-set match, most recently matched by Jamee Stimson against Pacific in 2004. The Phoenix, Ariz. native also added 17 digs (1.42 per set) and four total blocks. Fairchild tallied match-highs in kills in all three matches, beginning with 18 (.571 attack percentage) against the Red Hawks, 23 against New Orleans, and 11 (.588 attack percentage) against Alcorn State.
 
Lahr started all three matches and hit .297 over that span, tallying 28 kills and 29 digs. The Lindenhurst, Ill. native recorded her first double-double with 16 kills and 16 digs in the five-set win over the Pioneers. Lahr recorded a team-high nine aces on the weekend, four in the first match and four in just one set against Alcorn State.
 
This is the third straight year the Rams have seen a freshman win Rookie of the Week after opening weekend, after Breanna Jones and Fairchild won the last two seasons, respectively.
 
The Rams take part in the 37^th Battle of the Bronx on Wednesday night in nearby Riverdale at 7 p.m.