NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball team (2-11, 0-6) begins a three-match home stand this weekend at the legendary Taps Gallagher Center when it hosts Manhattan College (5-11, 3-3) Saturday at 2 p.m. and Iona College (3-11, 1-4) Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Purple Eagles will be looking to snap an eight-match losing streak that dates back to Sept. 9. Niagara has been close three times, taking Marist and Rider to five games and Loyola to four.

Sophomore Nicole Piette (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) leads the team in kills per game (2.74) and hitting percentage (.235). Junior Maurin Lawrence (Corfu, N.Y.) tops the squad in kills (119) and blocks (23).

Senior Jessica Piscitelli (Baldwinsville, N.Y.) still leads the NCAA in aces per game (0.95), and junior Sara Mancini (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) is averaging a team-best 4.44 digs per game.

Manhattan enters the weekend on a two-match winning streak after beating Marist and Iona this past weekend.

Sherryta Stokes leads the team in kills per game (2.70) while Whitney Judkins tops the team in hitting percentage (.218). Rita Welsh has a squad-best 44 blocks and Ashley Watson is averaging 4.02 digs per game.

Iona has dropped its last three matches, including Rider and at Manhattan last weekend.

Morgan Young has a team-best .207 hitting percentage while Megan Dailey is averaging 3.47 kills per game. Shelby Erb tops the squad in digs per game (4.09) and Kristin Allain has a team-leading 31 blocks.

Last season Niagara beat Manhattan, but lost to Iona. The Lady Jaspers lead the all-time series 11-7, but the series with the Gaels is tied at 9-9.