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Coming off a home victory against Canisius, the Niagara Purple Eagles volleyball team continues it home schedule this weekend. On Saturday, the Purple Eagles host Rider at 1 p.m. before hosting Saint Peter's to close out the weekend on Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Purple Points

• The Purple Eagles are second in the conference with a 7-2 record for their best start through nine MAAC matches since 2011.  
• Niagara will also look to continue its dominating home play inside the Gallagher Center, with a 4-1 record at home to start the season.
• Niagara is first in the MAAC in digs per set (17.15), second in opponent hitting percentage (.163), and third in assists per set (10.81). In the NCAA, Niagara is 23^rd in total attacks, 24^th in digs per set, and 31^st in opponent hitting percentage.  
• Rylee Hunt is SECOND in the nation with a conference-leading 6.15 digs per set.
• Five Purple Eagles rank in the top-10 in MAAC categories: Draik Banks is sixth in the conference in hitting percentage (.261), Nicole Matheis is eighth in kills per set (2.85) and fifth in points per set (3.3), Rachel Hall is ninth in assists per set (5.16), Emilie Wright is fifth in aces per set (.39), and Jaycie Roberts is 10^th in digs per set (2.73).

 
Hunt Earns Conference-Best Fifth Libero of the Weekly Award  

• For the fifth time this season, Rylee Hunt earned MAAC Libero of the Week Honors on Oct. 17. 
• Hunt, who was selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Team, currently leads the conference and is second in the NATION with 6.15 digs per set. Her 42 digs against Fairfield not only tied her career-high, but were also just two digs shy of tying a program record.
• Hunt also has the top three marks digs in a match this season, with her Fairfield performance followed by matches against Central Connecticut State (37) and Rider (36). She also is tied for fourth with a pair of matches featuring 32 digs against Iona on Oct. 8 and Canisius on Oct. 12.
• Hunt's five libero of the week award are tied for the most in the MAAC since 2011.

 
Hetterscheidt Earns Co-Rookie of the Week

• On Oct. 17, Grade Hetterscheidt earned her first MAAC Rookie of the Week honor, sharing the award with Iona's Jamie Smith.
• In her first ever "Battle of the Bridge" matchup against Canisius, Hetterscheidt averaged 2.5 kills per set and 1.25 blocks per set, helping lead Niagara to a win in four sets on Oct. 12.
• She finished the match with 10 kills on a team-best .304 hitting percentage while also recording a career-high, team-leading 13 points and four block assists.

 
Hunt Among The Nation's Best

• Rylee Hunt ranks in the top-10 in two NCAA active career categories.
• Hunt is second in digs with 2,075 and fourth in digs per set with 5.0. 

 
Milestone Watch

• Three Purple Eagles have come into their senior seasons eyeing program records and milestones.
• Alexis Gray is five aces from tying Kari Honomichl ('12) as the career leader in aces.
• Rylee Hunt is second on the all-time digs list with 2,075. She is 331 away from tying Sam Morgan ('11) for first place.
• Nicole Matheis  now is currently sitting at 1,145 kills, passing Jessica Anderson ('95) for fifth on the all-time list.  Matheis is one of two Purple Eagles (Hannah Hedrick) to have over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career. Matheis is 9^th in career digs (1,172).

Across The Net
Rider Broncs (12-10, 6-4 MAAC)

• The Broncs will come into the Gallagher Center winners of six of their last seven matches, most recently picking up a pair of victories on the road against Iona and Manhattan last weekend.
• Leaders: Hailey Riede (3.03 kills per set), Veronica Koval (9.05 assists per set), Emma Aldaya (4.09 digs per set), Evelyn Shanefield (0.87 blocks per set)
• The Purple Eagles are 21-12 in the all-time series against the Broncs. Niagara will look to sweep the season series, winning at Rider in four sets earlier this year on Sept. 17.

 
Saint Peter's Peacocks (0-21, 0-10 MAAC)

• Saint Peter's will look for their first victory of the season, most recently falling last weekend in straight sets to both Manhattan and Iona on the road.   
• Leaders: Alexus Sharp (1.87 kps and 0.68 bps), Wildalys Soto (4.00 aps), Emma Rose (7.47 aps), Karla Seda (3.0 dps)
• The all-time is currently split, 22-22, with Niagara winning the last seven matchups dating back to 2014. On Sept. 16, NU won in straight sets on the road in Jersey City.

 
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