The Niagara Purple Eagles head back on the road this weekend to face the Loyola Greyhounds and Rider Broncs.

Niagara (12-10, 9-3) enters this weekend in second place in the conference and went 4-1 during its five-match homestand with wins over Iona, Canisius, Marist and Siena. The Purple Eagles’ three-match win streak is tied for their longest of the season.

Niagara is second in the conference in hitting percentage (.206) and second in the conference in aces per set (1.42); NU ranks 53rd in the nation in aces per set. Reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week Taylor Edmonds is second in the MAAC and 40th in the nation in aces per set (.40). Edmonds had a career-high with 10 kills against Canisius, a caree-best .545 hitting percentage against Marist and a career-high nine blocks versus Siena which were the most by a Purple Eagle since 2010.

Senior Kari Honomichl  who averaged 3.67 kills per set, 2.33 digs per set and 4.42 points per set in three matches last week, is second in the conference in kills per set (3.65) and fifth in aces per set (.36).

Niagara has controlled the season series against Rider and Loyola in recent seasons while sweeping both teams the last three seasons and haven’t lost to the Greyhounds since Oct. 2007. The Purple Eagles recorded four-set wins against Rider (Sept. 22) and Loyola (Sept. 23) at the Gallagher Center this season.