Volleyball Kicks-Off Five Match Homestand

OPENING SERVE
Canisius volleyball kicks-off a five match homestand this weekend, hosting Saint Peter's and Rider on Saturday and Sunday. Both matches slated for 1 p.m. Sunday's contest can be seen live on ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app.

NOTING THE GRIFFS
• In it's last match the Blue and Gold dropped a tightly contested match against rival Niagara, falling 3-1, but with no more than three points separating the two teams in the three set losses.
• Canisius comes into this contest with a 6-13 record and a 4-5 MAAC record and having won two of its last three contests.
• The Golden Griffins are ranked third in the league in kills per set with an 11.61 mark.
• The Blue and Gold have really improved its net presence ranking fourth in the conference in blocks per set with a 1.77 mark.
• Defense has been a focus in recent weeks and its paying off with Canisius now ranking fourth in the conference in digs per set with a 15.73 digs per frame average.
• Sara Wesley continues to be one of the leagues best, posting the MAAC's top hitting percentage with a mark of .298.
• Likewise Claire Leonard has continued to impress, ranking third in the league in kills per set and is far and away the MAAC's most productive freshman.
• The Griffs' offensive quarterback, Cassidy Ceriani is ranked third in the league in assists per set with a 8.76 average.
• Sofia Lopez Acosta has really settled into the libero position in her first year at Canisius, as the junior-transfer is ranked fourth in the MAAC in digs per set with a mark of 4.10.

SERIES HISTORY VS. OPPONENTS
• The Griffs are 25-9 all-time against Rider in the series history and are 4-6 in the last 10.
• The Broncs swept the series last season, defeating the Griffs 3-0 at the Koessler Athletic Center and 3-1 later in the year in Lawrenceville, N.J., while taking the first contest this year, 3-0, in Lawrenceville, N.J.
• Against Saint Peter's, the Griffs are 32-12 overall, and 15-1 in the last 16 contests.
• Canisius is currently on a string of 15-straight victories against the Peacocks, dating back to Oct. 2, 2010.

UP NEXT
• Following this weekend Canisius comes down the homestretch of its home schedule, playing Niagara on Thursday, Oct. 26 for a rivalry contest, before finishing up with Manhattan and Iona on Oct. 28 and 29. Senior day will be o Oct. 29 against the Gaels. Both matches will begin at 1 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Cassidy Ceriani: S; 5' 11"; Sophomore

#15 Sara Wesley: OH; 5' 10"; Junior

#1 Claire Leonard: OH/MB; 6' 0"; Freshman

#2 Sofia Lopez Acosta: L; 5' 7"; Junior

Players Mentioned

#3 Cassidy Ceriani
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: S

#15 Sara Wesley
: 5' 10"; Junior
: OH

#1 Claire Leonard
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: OH/MB

#2 Sofia Lopez Acosta
: 5' 7"; Junior
: L