Senior Jennifer Hansford

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball team (5-5) concludes its 12-match road swing when it plays in the Red Flash Invitational at St. Francis (Pa.) University this weekend in Loretto, Pa.

The Purple Eagles will be looking to end a four-match losing streak when it opens play against the Red Flashes Friday at 7 p.m. in the Stokes Athletic Center. On Saturday, Niagara plays Robert Morris at 11 a.m. and Coppin State at 4 p.m.

After opening the season with five wins in its first six matches, Niagara went 0-3 in the Medical Mutual CSU Invitational at Cleveland State last weekend.

Senior middle hitter Karen Simpson (Rochester, N.Y.) leads the Purple Eagles in hitting (.275), block assists (28) and blocks (33). Classmate Stephanie Hopkins (Tonawanda, N.Y./Sweet Home) tops the squad in kills per game (3.38) and is second in aces (8) and digs per game (3.21). Senior libero Micole Daluisio (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) has a team-high 4.82 digs per game while senior setter Jennifer Hansford (Stratford, Ont.) is collecting 6.03 assists a contest.

Niagara is hitting .168 compared to its opponents’ .163.

St. Francis (Pa.) enters the tournament on a seven-match losing streak and as winners in one of its last 10 matches. The Red Flashes dropped four matches at the Toledo Invitational last weekend.

Four players are averaging 2.0 kills-or-more this season for St. Francis (Pa.), including junior Anne Roosevelt (2.25) who also has a team-best 20 aces and 3.53 digs per game.

Robert Morris has won one of its last five matches, going 1-2 at the Kent State Invitational last weekend and losing in four games to West Virginia Sept. 13.

The Colonials are led by junior middle hitter Janette Schneider who is hitting .376 and averaging 2.90 kills per game and 0.93 blocks an outing. Senior outside hitter Megan Bell leads the team in kills (3.48) and digs (3.45) per game.

Coppin State will be looking for its first victory of the season this weekend after dropping its first nine matches.

The Lady Eagles are led by freshman Brittany Arvin who is hitting a team-best .291. Senior Shauniece Steward is averaging a squad-leading 2.87 kills per game and has 10 aces. Junior libero Andrea McGant is making 3.03 digs per match.