FAIRFIELD, Conn. – After emerging from last week's action as the final unbeaten team in MAAC play, Fairfield University Volleyball brings its 5-0 conference mark to Western New York to challenge Niagara and Canisius. The Stags have won five consecutive matches, with the last four settled by a decisive 3-0 count.
 
Fairfield University Stags (7-9, 5-0 MAAC)

• Fairfield earned home wins over Sacred Heart, Quinnipiac and Merrimack last week to secure first place in the conference standings.
• The Stags lead the MAAC in hitting percentage (.224), kills per set (12.45) and assists per set (11.79)
• Fairfield is hitting .310 in conference play and has swung over .300 in four straight contests.
• On the other side of the net, the Stags' MAAC foes are hitting a league-low .131 against them.
• Individually, the Stags' top six hitters are all averaging over one kill per set, led by 2.49 per frame from Mamie Krubally.

 
Niagara University Purple Eagles (8-8, 4-1 MAAC)

• The Purple Eagles opened the MAAC slate with four straight wins before falling at Rider, 3-2, this past Sunday.
• Niagara is the top defensive team in the MAAC, leading the conference in blocks per set (2.57), digs per set (16.76) and opponent hitting percentage (.188).
• Laryssa Imbuzeiro leads the conference in blocks per frame (1.31) as well as hitting percentage at .327.
• Bella Peroni tops the MAAC and ranks seventh nationally with 5.18 digs per set.
• Niagara and Fairfield both defeated CCSU and lost to St. John's in Queens as a part of the non-conference season.

 
All-Time Series

• Fairfield has won 12 straight meetings with Niagara, running its lead in the all-time series to 46-11.
• Five of the Purple Eagles' wins have come at the Gallagher Center in addition to three at Alumni Hall and three on a neutral court.

 
Canisius University Golden Griffins (7-9, 3-2 MAAC)

• Canisius owns MAAC wins over Siena, Marist and Saint Peter's with losses to Niagara and Rider to complete their 3-2 league record.
• One of the few MAAC teams to run a 5-1 offense, the Griffs' Ella Bourque leads the conference with 9.17 assists per set.
• Also on the leaderboard, Jillian Hanna tops the MAAC in aces (31) and ranks third in digs per frame (4.46). Bella Mosquera is second in the conference with 1.02 blocks per stanza.
• Canisius and Fairfield did not share any common opponents during the non-league slate. But by first serve on Sunday, both squads will have played Niagara and Sacred Heart.

 
All-Time Series

• Fairfield holds a 38-16 lead in the all-time series and has won the last five meetings.
• Canisius has been the most successful MAAC team when hosting the Stags, as Fairfield is only 14-10 all-time against the Griffs in Buffalo.

 
Up Next

• The Stags return to Leo D. Mahoney Arena next weekend to begin a five-match homestand with visits from Saint Peter's and Rider on Oct. 19-20.
• Fairfield will not leave the Town of Fairfield again until November, as the Stags also host Bryant, Siena and Marist before heading across town to challenge Sacred Heart on Oct. 30 to round out the month.