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The three-time defending MAAC champions Niagara Purple Eagles will play their first home matches of the season when they entertain Rider and Loyola this weekend.

The Purple Eagles (4-7, 1-1 MAAC) opened the season with 11 straight matches away from home and began conference play last weekend by splitting with Siena and Marist. NU picked up its second individual award of the season when Taylor Edmonds was named MAAC Rookie of the Week after career-highs with seven kills against Siena. Edmonds leads the team in aces per set (.33) and is fifth in the conference.

Senior Kari Honomichl is off to an impressive start to the early season. Honomichl, who was named three straight all-tournament teams this season, ranks second in the MAAC with 3.76 kills per set and is ninth in the conference with .29 aces per set.

Niagara has controlled the season series against Rider and Loyola in recent seasons. The Purple Eagles have swept both teams the last three seasons and haven’t lost to the Greyhounds since Oct. 2007.

The Broncs (6-4, 0-1 MAAC) is 2-2 in their last four matches and dropped their only conference game to Loyola on Sept. 7. There will be a postgame clinic for those who attended the volleyball camps in August. 

NU will host the Greyhounds (8-4, 1-0 MAAC) on Sunday who have a four-match winning streak. Sunday’s match will be broadcast by Lockport Community Television (LCTV).