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The Niagara volleyball team concludes its season-long five-match homestand by hosting Marist and Siena this weekend.

The Purple Eagles, who have won four of their last five matches, currently sits in fourth place in the MAAC with a 7-3 conference record and are an half game behind Fairfield and Sunday’s opponent Siena.

NU is 2-1 during its home stand, collecting wins over Iona and Canisius and falling to Fairfield.

Kari Honomichl has been putting up first team numbers all season and she is continuing to do so during the homestand. Honomichl is averaging 5.10 kills per set, 3.90 digs per set, has four aces and hitting .310 over the last three matches. In NU’s last match, she led the match with 21 kills and added 12 digs en route to her seventh straight double-double and 11th of the season.

NU’s other attacking threat, Ellen Senf  is averaging 3.50 at a .355 clip during the three-match homestand. Senior and two-time conference setter of the year Michelle James is back to her first team form during the run, averaging 12.20 assists per set and 2.9 digs per set. 

Niagara has won the last eight encounters with Marist (7-13, 3-7 MAAC). The Purple Eagles rolled to a straight set win on Sept. 16 in Poughkeepsie while recording a season-best .391 attacking percentage and Honomichl setting a season-best .543 (20 kills, one error, 35 attempts) attacking percentage. The match will also be the annual Dig Pink match to help raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and treatments.

NU will look to avenge its conference opening defeat to Siena (14-9, 8-3 MAAC) on Sunday. The Purple Eagles have won 49 of their last 54 matches against conference opponents; three of their five losses have come to the Saints. Siena is on a four-match winning streak heading into this weekend matches. The Saints lead the MAAC in hitting percentage (.213), are second in opponent hitting percentage (.179), assists (12.49), kills (13.48) and have the conference leader in digs in Lesli Akeo (5.94).