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After defeating Saint Peter's and Rider last weekend to open MAAC play, the Niagara Purple Eagles bring their five-match winning streak into this weekend as they start a four-match homestand. On Saturday, Niagara will play Marist, and Sunday it will battle Siena, with both matches starting at 1:00 p.m.
 
Purple Points

• Niagara is coming off back-to-back wins last weekend to open MAAC play against Saint Peter's and Rider, extending its winning streak to five matches, Niagara's longest since last October when the Purple Eagles won five straight.
• Niagara is currently first in the MAAC in opponent hitting percentage (.176), second in assists per set (10.92) and third in assists per set (11.38).
• Niagara is also currently first in the MAAC and eighth in the NATION in digs per set (18.18), with Rylee Hunt leading the way with 6.41 dps, good for first in the MAAC and second in the NATION.
• Hunt, who was named MAAC Libero of the Week for the third straight week on Sept. 19, collected 37 digs against Central Connecticut State and 36 against Rider earlier this season, good for sixth and eighth in the nation.
• One of five newcomers to the program, Jaycie Roberts is making her presence already known on the court. Roberts is currently second on the Purple Eagles in kills per set (2.23) and in digs per set (2.97), with her digs per set good for eighth in the MAAC.

Three Times A Charm

• Rylee Hunt was named MAAC Libero of the Week for the third consecutive week announced on Sept. 19.
• Hunt averaged 8.0 digs per set to help Niagara to wins over Saint Peter's and Rider to start MAAC play 2-0. In the sweep of Saint Peter's on Saturday, Hunt had a match-high 20 digs for her fourth straight match with at least 20 digs. On Sunday, Hunt had her second 30-plus digs match of the season with a match-high 36. She also added a season-high eight assists. 

 
Milestone Watch

• Three Purple Eagles have come into their senior seasons eyeing program records and milestones
• Alexis Gray is nine aces from tying Kari Honomichl ('12) as the career leader in aces.
• Rylee Hunt is now second on the all-time digs list, passing Micole Daluisio ('05).
• Nicole Matheis is now the seventh player in the history of the program to record 1,000 career kills. She now is currently sitting at 1,063 kills, passing Raelen Rush for sixth on the all-time list. Matheis has also crossed the 1,000-dig plateau to become the second Purple Eagle (Hannah Hedrick) with over 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs.

 
Hunt Among The Nation's Best

• Rylee Hunt ranks in the top-10 in two NCAA active career categories.
• Hunt is third in digs with 1,913 and fourth in digs per set with 4.94

Across The Net
Marist Red Foxes (4-8, 1-0 MAAC)

• Marist snapped a seven match losing streak with a victory over Siena on Sept. 19.
• Leaders: Nikki DeSerpa (2.95 kills per set), Taylor van der Biezen (8.31 assists per set), Katie Brierley (3.62 digs per set), Ashton Koroan (1.0 block per set),
• The Purple Eagles lead the all-time series against the Red Foxes, 23-15, but Niagara will be looking to snap its current four-match losing streak to Marist on Saturday.
   

Siena Saints (0-12, 0-1 MAAC)

• Siena is winless on the season, most recently falling Marist in its conference opener on Sept. 19. 
• Leaders: Nicole Deobler (2.58 kps), Jess Eblin (7.31 aps), Jojo Ishida (3.28 dps), Sam Pethokoukis (0.71 bps)
• The Saints lead the all-time series, 28-14, and have won the last eight of the last nine matchup against the Purple Eagles dating back to the 2013 season.

 
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