POUGHKEEPSIE, New York - The Marist volleyball team (4-8, 1-0 MAAC) will head over to Buffalo this weekend to face Niagara (6-5, 2-0 MAAC) on Saturday and Canisius (3-9, 1-1 MAAC) on Sunday in a pair of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matches. First serve for both contests is slated for 1 p.m.
Live stats of each contest will be available and there will be a free video stream of the Niagara match
here. Sunday's match against the Golden Griffins will be broadcast nationally on
ESPN3. The stream will be free for those who log in with their cable provider's information.
SHUT IT DOWN
Marist earned its second shutout of the season when it defeated Siena in the conference opener for both teams Sept. 19. Three different Red Foxes recorded double-digit kills on the attack. Junior
Katie Brierley racked up 26 digs on defense to fall one shy of her career high.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sophomore
Nikki DeSerpa slammed 13 kills against the Saints and leads Marist with 124 this season. Senior
Kelsey Ediger isn't too far behind DeSerpa, averaging 2.43 kills and 2.05 digs per set in 2017.
As a team Marist leads the conference at 1.93 blocks per set and is third with a .156 attack percentage.
SCOUTING REPORTS
Niagara Purple Eagles
The Purple Eagles enter the weekend riding a five-match winning streak, including victories in their first two MAAC matches at Saint Peter's and Rider. Saturday's clash with Marist will be Niagara's home opener. The Purple Eagles have allowed the lowest hitting percentage from opponents out of all MAAC schools at .176.
Senior libero Rylee Hunt is first in the conference with 250 digs and second in the nation averaging 6.41 digs per set. She has helped Niagara's defense stay atop the MAAC and place seventh in the country averaging 18.18 digs per set. On the offensive end senior Nicole Matheis owns a 3.17 points per set rate and averages 2.72 kills per set.
Canisius Golden Griffins
Canisius split its first two MAAC matches in shutout fashion, falling to Rider and defeating Saint Peter's. Through their first 12 matches of the season the Golden Griffins sit just ahead of Marist with a .160 attack percentage. They are led statistically by freshman Claire Leonard, who is averaging 3.26 points and 3.02 kills per set this season. Junior Sara Wesley has proven to be a two-way player for the Griffs this year with 92 kills and a team-best 29 total blocks.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following the weekend trip to Buffalo the Red Foxes will head home for MAAC matches against Manhattan on Sept. 30 and Iona on Oct. 1. First serve for both matches will be 1 p.m. Sunday's bout with Iona will be Marist's Greek Day match and Marist sunglasses will be given out to the first 100 fans in attendance.
The Red Foxes have not played in McCann Arena since the Volley In The Valley Tournament, which took place during Labor Day Weekend.
