Live Stats

The Niagara Purple Eagles will cross the Grand Islands' bridges to face rival Canisius on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.

Purple Points

• The Purple Eagles are 13-7 overall and sit in second place in the MAAC with a 9-2 record for their best conference start since 2011.
• Niagara has won four of its last five matches, including three straight.
• NU ranks 16^th in the NCAA in total attack per set (38.67) and 20^th in digs per set (17.44).
• The Purple Eagles are second in the MAAC in assists per set (11.23), opponent hitting percentage (.165), and total digs (1,308).
• Rylee Hunt is SECOND in the nation in digs per set (6.16) and 19^th in total digs (462).
• Five Purple Eagles rank in the top-10 in MAAC categories: Rylee Hunt leads the MAAC in digs per set (6.16), Draik Banks is fifth in the conference in hitting percentage (.276), Nicole Matheis is eighth in kills per set (2.77), fifth in points per set (3.3) and 10^th in digs per set (2.85), Rachel Hall is ninth in assists per set (5.27), and Emilie Wright is 10^th in aces per set (.34).

 
More MAAC Weekly Honors For Purple Eagles

• Senior Rylee Hunt was named MAAC Libero of the Week for the sixth time this season, and outside hitter Jaycie Roberts earned her second MAAC Rookie of the Week honors announced on October 24.
• Hunt's six MAAC Libero of the Week awards are the most since 2011.
• Hunt led Niagara in digs with 6.25 per set and led each match in digs, and Roberts led the Purple Eagles in kills per set (3.88) and points per set (4.19) as Niagara picked up wins against Rider and Saint Peter's.

 
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 2,125 and fourth in digs per set with 5.02. 

 
Milestone Watch

• Three Purple Eagles have come into their senior seasons eyeing program records and milestones.
• Alexis Gray is two aces from tying Kari Honomichl ('12) as the career leader in aces (154). Gray is third on the all-time assists list with 3,238 and is 51 behind Jennifer Hansford ('05) for second.
• Rylee Hunt is second on the all-time digs list with 2,125. She is 281 away from tying Sam Morgan ('11) for first place.
• Nicole Matheis  is fifth on the all-time kills list with 1,162 kills and is eighth on the digs list with 1,197.  Matheis is one of two Purple Eagles (Hannah Hedrick) to have over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs in her career.

Across The Net
Canisius Golden Griffins (7-14, 5-6 MAAC)

• Since falling to the Purple Eagles on Oct. 12, the Golden Griffins have split their last two matchups, defeating Saint Peter's in straight sets on Oct. 21 before falling to Rider on Oct. 21, 3-1. 
• Leaders: Claire Leonard (3.17 kills per set), Cassidy Ceriani (8.86 assists per set), Sofia Lopez Acosta (4.18 digs per set), Leah Simmons (0.76 blocks per set)
• The Purple Eagles are 36-32 in the all-time series.

• NU is 16-3 against Canisius since 2009, and is 7-1 in its last eight visits to the Koessler Athletic Center.

 
Battle of the Bridge

• The Battle of the Bridge, the all-sports competition between cross-town rivals Niagara University and Canisius College, enters its 12th season.
• Canisius leads 4-1 through three competitions this season. The winner of the volleyball match will receive one point.

 
Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for volleyball updates at @NiagaraVB. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles.