The Purple Eagles will be playing in the Grand Canyon Invitational in Phoenix on Friday and Saturday. Niagara opens the invitational on Friday with matches against Southern Utah at 1 p.m. and Gonzaga at 7 p.m. NU concludes play on Saturday versus Charleston at 10 a.m. and Grand Canyon University at 4 p.m.
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Last Time Out
- At the Rose Hill Classic, the Purple Eagles had a strong start in defeating Fordham University before falling to Robert Morris and Georgetown.
- NU had a season-best .212 hitting percentage in the win over Fordham.
- Melissa McGwin led the Purple Eagle attack averaging 2.4 kills per set while hitting .333 during the three-match invitational. Â
Hunt Garners All-Tournament Accolades…Again
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- Rylee Hunt was named to the all-tournament team at the Rose Hill Classic. It was the second straight tournament she earned the honor.
- Hunt averaged 4.4 digs per set while registering double-digit digs in all three matches.
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In The MAAC
- As a team, Niagara is third among MAAC teams in kills per set (11.95) and digs per set (15.58)
- Rylee Hunt and Alex Stone are second in the MAAC in digs and blocks, respectively. Hunt is averaging 5.0 digs per set while Stone is averaging 1.05 blocks per set.
- Melissa McGwin and Aleix Gray are fourth in the MAAC in hitting percentage and assists per set, respectively. McGwin is hitting .333 and Gray is averaging 7.26 assists per set.
Across The Net: Southern Utah Thunderbirds (6-1)
- The will be the first meeting between the Purple Eagles and Thunderbirds.
- Southern Utah went 2-1 in its previous invitational last weekend.
- The Thunderbirds picked up wins over Utah State and Middle Tennessee State in their invitational.
- Leaders: kills per set – Madi Forsythe (3.90), assists per set – Faith Ma'afala (8.29), blocks per set – Ann Clappier (1.53)
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Across The Net: Gonzaga Bulldogs (4-2)
- The Purple Eagles are 0-1 in their only meeting with the Bulldogs
- Gonzaga went 2-1 in its previous invitational last weekend.
- The Bulldogs picked up wins over Wyoming and Montana in their invitational.
- Leaders: kills per set – Savannah Blinn (4.50), assists per set – Faith Smith (5.59), blocks per set – Imani Wimbush (1.23)
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Across The Net: Charleston Southern Buccaneers (4-2)
- The Purple Eagles are 0-1 in their only meeting with the Buccaneers.
- Senior Maredith Parrot won Big South Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
- The Bucs have won three of their last five matches
- Leaders: kills per set – Siraya Windsor (3.18), assists per set – Cassidy Greer (5.65), blocks per set – Kylie Klien (1.12)
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Across The Net: Grand Canyon University Lopes (0-6)
- First meeting between Niagara and GCU
- Natalie Tardy leads the 'Lopes with 45 kills
- Leaders: points per set – Natalie Tardy (2.79), assists per set – Michelle Steagall (7.11), blocks per set – Emily Christensen (0.88)
