FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Fairfield University Volleyball enters the MAAC portion of the 2023 season this weekend as Canisius and Niagara make their first-ever appearances at Leo D. Mahoney Arena. First serve on both Saturday and Sunday is set for 1 p.m.
 
The Fairfield University Stags (4-4, 0-0 MAAC)

• The Stags leveled their record at 4-4 with a five-set win at Bryant on Wednesday night in Smithfield.
• Blakely Montgomery, Allie Elliott and Svenja Rodenbusch all recorded double-doubles in the victory.
• Maya Walker was named the MAAC Female Student-Athlete of the Week on Wednesday. She finished non-conference play ranked second in the MAAC in both hitting percentage (.319) and blocks per set (1.13).
• Fairfield has won four consecutive MAAC Regular Season Championships and 21 of the last 27 dating back to 1996.

 
The Canisius University Golden Griffins (2-6, 0-0 MAAC)

• Canisius is 2-6 on the season and is looking to whether a five-game losing streak since defeating Saint Francis and Belmont on opening weekend.
• The Griffs were tabbed fifth in the MAAC Preseason Poll after finishing fourth last fall with an 11-7 conference mark.
• Canisius returns two All-MAAC performers: reigning Rookie and Setter of the Year Ella Bourque and Second Team honoree Ella Loussia.

 
The Niagara University Purple Eagles (1-7, 0-0 MAAC)

• Niagara, which visits Quinnipiac on Saturday before heading to Mahoney Arena, finished its non-conference slate at 1-7. The lone win was the Purple Eagles most recent opponent, hosting and sweeping Kent State on Sept. 9.
• The Purple Eagles were ranked eighth in the MAAC Preseason Poll. Niagara was tied for seventh on the ledger at 7-11 in MAAC play last season.
• Niagara returns 11 letterwinners to the fold in 2023 in addition to five freshmen.

 
The Matchups

• Fairfield is 36-16 all-time against Canisius. The Stags won both meetings last fall, sweeping the Griffs in Buffalo and taking a five-set victory at the RecPlex.
• A 10-match winning streak has the Stags out to a 44-11 lead in the all-time series with Niagara. Fairfield defeated the Purple Eagles three times last fall, taking both parts of the home-and-home and ending Niagara's season in the MAAC Championship Quarterfinals.

 
Up Next

• The MAAC road slate kicks in next weekend with Fairfield traveling to Siena and Marist.
• The Saints and Red Foxes will play each other on Friday evening in Poughkeepsie.
• Siena is already 1-0 in MAAC play after sweeping Saint Peter's in Loudonville on Wednesday.