POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist volleyball team (9-10, 6-2 MAAC) will ride a three-match winning streak into this weekend when it hosts Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference rivals Fairfield and Quinnipiac on Oct. 14 and 15, respectively. Both matches will begin at 1 p.m. in McCann Arena.
 
Live stats will be available and there will be a free live video stream of each match on the Red Fox Network.
 
Sunday's contest against Quinnipiac will be Marist's Study Break match co-sponsored by Student Activities, Student Government Association, First Year Programs and the Health & Wellness Center. The first 100 students in attendance will receive foam fox claws and there will be other raffles, contests, and giveaways.     
 
CONFERENCE CONTENDERS
 
The Red Foxes have won six of their last eight matches since beginning MAAC play more than three weeks ago. Beginning Saturday, five out of Marist's next 10 matches will take place in McCann Arena. The Red Foxes are looking to keep momentum on their side, as they have earned five straight set-wins in conference play.   
 
Marist's most recent triumph came Oct. 8 when it came back to defeat Rider in five sets (25-21, 22-25, 13-25, 25-18, 15-5). Senior Kelsey Ediger posted a double-double with 22 kills and 23 digs to earn MAAC Player of the Week. Junior Taylor van der Biezen registered match highs with 46 assists and six service aces.
 

.@CoachAmundson and the rest of the squad are excited for a big #MAACVb weekend.

????#GoRedFoxes pic.twitter.com/79V9IONLbQ

— Marist Athletics (@MaristAthletics) October 12, 2017

 
PLAYERS TO WATCH
 
Sophomore Nikki DeSerpa is Marist's top hitter this season. She leads the Red Foxes with 209 kills and has put up double-digit kills in 11 of those 19 matches. Her 18 kills at Rider were one shy of a season high.  
 
Marist's defense continues to outblock their opponents. Its strength on the front line is led by sophomore Megan Fergus and her 47 total blocks. Senior Ashton Korona (44) and sophomore Stephanie Stone (43) aren't too far behind.

SCOUTING REPORTS
 
Fairfield Stags
 
Fairfield (12-6, 7-0 MAAC) is in the midst of an eight-match winning streak during which it has lost just six sets. The Stags are most recently coming off a 3-0 home victory over Quinnipiac.
 
The Fairfield attack leads the MAAC in opponent hitting percentage (.151) as well as kills (12.68) and assists (12.20) per set. On defense the Stags rank second, a hair behind the Red Foxes, with 126 total blocks and are no. 2 in the conference averaging 15.96 digs per set. 
 
Reigning MAAC Player of the Year Skyler Day is atop the MAAC slamming 3.68 kills per set. Sophomore setter Manuela Nicolini is first in the the MAAC with a commanding 10.14 assists per game.  
 
Quinnipiac Bobcats
 
The Bobcats (6-16, 5-4 MAAC) are 2-3 in their last five matches with the three losses coming in straight sets. Quinnipiac scores points on service aces, as it leads the MAAC averaging 1.62 per set. The Bobcats are right behind Fairfield for second place in both kills (11.86) and assists (11.02) per set.
 
Freshman Gabby Horman has stepped up on attack, hitting .207 in 20 matches started this season.  
 
LOOKING AHEAD
 
Marist will continue its five-match home stand when it hosts Siena at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 in its annual Pink Out match. The Friday night contest will be streamed live exclusively on the Marist Athletics Facebook page. The Red Foxes will wear pink jerseys during the contest to promote breast cancer awareness.