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The Niagara Purple Eagles begin their quest for a fourth straight MAAC Championship on Saturday when they play the host and No. 1 seed Fairfield in the semifinals at 1 p.m.

Fight For 4
The three-time defending champion Purple Eagles are on a quest for their fourth straight title. NU claimed the program’s first-ever title in 2009 and followed with championships in 2010 and 2011. Niagara is attempting to become the first team to win four consecutive titles since Siena won four straight from 2005-08.

How To Tune In
The 2012 MAAC Volleyball Championship page on MAACSports.com will provide links for live stats and MAAC.TV will streamed the match live.

MAAC Dominance
The Purple Eagles are 53-8 against MAAC opponents since the 2009 MAAC Tournament, which includes three MAAC Tournament Titles and two regular season championships

MAAC Tournament History
Niagara is making its 13th appearance at the MAAC Tournament. The Purple Eagles are 11-13 all-time while claiming the tournament title in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Niagara is 2-2 against Fairfield in the MAAC Tournament. The Purple Eagles have won the last two encounters (2010 and 2011).

Preseason Top Two Teams Square Off
Fairfield and Niagara were picked first and second, respectively, in the 2012 MAAC Preseason Poll.

The Series
Niagara trails in the all-time series (24-9), but the Purple Eagles turned the corner in the last few seasons. The Purple Eagles swept Fairfield for the first time in program history in 2010 and beat Fairfield in the semifinals en route to winning the 2010 crown. Niagara won all three meetings last season, including in the 2011 MAAC Championship match. This season, Niagara’s six-match win streak in the series came to an end as Fairfield swept both meetings.

Up Next
No. 1 Fairfield Stags (20-8, 15-3 MAAC)
The Fairfield Stags enter the 2012 MAAC Tournament winners of 13 of their last 14 matches. The Stags are first in the MAAC in assists, kills, digs and opponent hitting percentage, while ranking second in hitting percentage. Briana Dixion (3.54 kills per set), Caitlin Stapleton (3.32 kills per set) and Rachel Romanksy (11.00 assists per set) are Fairfield’s offensive leaders. Kara Reis leads the team in digs per set (5.54).

Back For More
Reigning MAAC Tournament Outstanding Player Kari Honomichl is having a record setting season. The Peterburg, Mich. native became the program’s career leader in aces (153) this season and set career highs in assists (27), digs (341), blocks (45), points (457) and needs four kills to set a career-best in kills (396). Honomichl is third all-time in career kills (1,462). Honomichl sits atop in the conference with 2.70 kills per set and 4.27 points per set.

Solid Senf
Junior right side Ellen Senf has quietly displayed efficient numbers all season. Senf is second on the team in kills while ranking in the top 10 in kills per set and hitting percentage.

Setting the Pace
Senior setter Michelle James returns for her fourth MAAC Tournament. The two-time MAAC Setter of the Year missed out on the 2011 edition due to a knee injury early in the season. James set the NU career assists mark in 2010 and has 4,772 entering this weekend.

Senior Class Success
The senior class of Kari Honomichl, Michelle James and Amanda Wilken are the winningest class in Niagara volleyball history. The triplets have been a part of three conference championships, three NCAA Tournament appearances and have set school records in overall wins, conference wins, home winning streak and conference winning streak.