After 14 straight away matches, the Niagara Purple Eagles will play their first home matches of the season this weekend. Niagara will host archrival Canisius on Saturday at 2 p.m. in the first Battle of the Bridge contest of the season and will host the second annual Block Blood Cancers match on Sunday at Noon against Syracuse.
Niagara (7-7, 2-0 MAAC) opens its home portion of its schedule on a nine-match home winning streak which ranks ninth in the nation. NU has won 17 straight home conference matches with the last defeat coming on Sept. 19, 2009 versus Fairfield (3-1). The Purple Eagles have also won 21 straight matches against MAAC opponents, including winning the last four meetings against the Golden Griffins.
Niagara, which defeated Iona and Fairfield last weekend, ranks near the top in several statistical categories in the conference. The Purple Eagles lead the MAAC in hitting percentage (.235) and second in assists per set (12.17), kills per set (13.17), aces per set (1.74) and digs per set (16.21) and third in opponent hitting percentage (.209).
Senior outside hitter Hannah Hedrick leads the team in kills per set with 3.89 and is second in the conference. Hedrick moved into second place in all-time kills at NU last weekend. Fellow classmate and Cincinnati, Ohio native Sam Morgan continued her double-digit digs streak to 110 matches and averaged 6.40 digs per set in three matches last week. The senior libero earned her second conference defensive player of the week award for her effort. Sophomore Ellen Senf led the Purple Eagles attack with 25 kills and had a .351 hitting percentage in matches against Iona and Fairfield, including a career and match-high 17 kills in the sweep over Fairfield.
Canisius (4-8, 0-2 MAAC) enters Saturday’s contest on a six-match losing streak. Junior Samantha Good leads the team in hitting percentage (.308) and ranks fourth in the conference, while senior Danielle Brawn ranks third in conference in kills per set (3.67) and senior Janelle Davis placing fifth in the conferee in assists per set (9.02). As a team, Canisius sits third in the conference in hitting percentage (.199).
Saturday’s match is the first Battle of the Bridge contest between Niagara and Canisius; the all-sports competition between the cross-town rivals enters its sixth season. After Niagara claimed the inaugural competition, Canisius has won the series the next two years, before Niagara claimed the Canal Cup at the end of the 2009-10 season. With the series tied 2-2, Canisius edged Niagara for the 2010-11 title.
Points are awarded to the winner of regular-season contests, except for cross country, golf and swimming and diving, which will be determined by Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship standings and the results will be posted on each school’s Web site. The Canal Cup will be awarded to the victor each year. Volleyball meets twice during the season, with each match counting for one point.
The Purple Eagles welcome the Syracuse Orange (9-4) on Sunday for a Noon start. The match will be the second annual Block Blood Cancers match, bringing awareness to Leukemia and Lymphoma cancers. The concept was spearheaded by head Susan Clements whose father, Don Clements, was battling leukemia and lost his battle during the 2010 season. For the second straight year, Niagara has partnered with the Western New York Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) chapter for the event and will participate in the annual “Light the Night Walk” fundraiser at Delaware Park in Buffalo. You can help the team reach its goal by donating here. Niagara Athletics will also be selling special t-shirts at the game and on PurpleEaglesStore.com with all proceeds to the Western and Central New York LLS chapters.
Syracuse (9-4) will host USF on Saturday before making the trip to Monteagle Ridge. Noemi Lefebvre leads the team with 2.88 kills per set and 3.44 digs per set. The Orange lead the nation in blocks per set (3.22). The last time the teams met at the Gallagher Center, the Orange escaped with a five-set win on Sept. 1, 2009. The match will be broadcast via tape-delay by Lockport Community Television (LCTV).
NU Volleyball Weekend Preview w/ Sam Morgan & Coach Clements
