Volleyball Begins MAAC Play at Rival Niagara on Tuesday

MATCH #13
Canisius (3-9) at Niagara (1-9)
Date: Tuesday, Sept. 24
Time: 6 p.m.
Live Stats: SIDEARM Stats
Live Video: ESPN+

Location: Gallagher Center (Lewiston, N.Y.)

The Canisius volleyball team and its historic rival Niagara are set to open their conference schedules on Tuesday at the Gallagher Center, facing off for the first of two meetings this season in the Battle of the Bridge series. The Golden Griffins and Purple Eagles will each look to start MAAC play off with a victory, as the two squads are slated for a 6 p.m. opening serve.

Scouting Canisius
• The Blue and Gold enter conference action after winning one of three at the Blue and White Classic. Cornell swept Canisius in consecutive sets before the Griffs did that same to St. Francis (Pa.) in the nightcap on Friday. Canisius and Buffalo then battled for five sets on Saturday, as the Bulls were able to pull out a comeback win despite being down 6-0 in the final frame.
• Senior Leah Simmons again led the Griffs over the weekend, totaling 26 kills and 10 block assists, while sophomore Hannah Nelson continued to make an impact with 25 kills, 21 digs and eight service aces to earn an all-tournament team selection. Simmons now has a team-best 129 kills on the season, while Nelson is second with 88 kills.
• Senior Cassidy Ceriani racked up 85 assists and 27 digs in the three matches, giving the setter 383 assists and 156 digs in her final season. Freshman Bree Long ended the weekend with 42 digs and 17 assists from the libero spot, as the rookie ranks third in the MAAC with 4.15 digs per set this season.

Scouting Niagara
• Niagara is also coming off a five-set loss to a MAC school, as the Purple Eagles took Kent State to the deciding set on Saturday, but could not pick up the victory. Niagara's lone win in non-conference play was a 3-0 sweep of Grambling State on Aug. 30.
• Mary Redl leads the squad with 88 kills and Caroline Leitch follows her with 82 kills so far. Jaycie Roberts is after them at 71 kills, while also recording 111 digs and a team-high 14 aces in the 2019 season.
• At setter, Jessica Streuer has posted 201 assists through 10 matches and Mima Kovacevic has added 88 more assists. Emilie Wright has notched 115 digs and Cameron Maris has put up 24 total blocks to lead the Purple Eagles defensively,

Series History
• Entering Tuesday, the all-time series between the longtime rivals sits at 51-48-2 in the Griffs' favor through 102 meetings.
• The Blue and Gold are 6-9 against the Purple Eagles in the last 15 meetings, but Canisius has won the last three meetings.
• Last season, the Griffs' 3-0 wins over Niagara on Oct. 18 and Nov. 3 marked the first time since 1990 where Canisius earned a pair of straight-set wins over Niagara in the same season.
• Over the two matches last season, Simmons led the Griffs with 29 kills (4.83 per set), while now-sophomore Camila Vazquez totaled 16 kills against the Purple Eagles.

Up Next
The Golden Griffins continue their MAAC slate on the road, heading this weekend to the New York City area to face Iona and Manhattan. The Griffs and Gaels meet on Sept. 28 for the first time since the 2018 MAAC Championship match, while the Jaspers host Canisius on Sept. 29. Both matches are set for a 1 p.m. start.

Follow the Griffs
For complete coverage of Canisius volleyball, please follow the Griffs on social media at @GriffVolleyball (Instagram) and @GriffVolleyball (Twitter).

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Players Mentioned

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

#14 Hannah Nelson: OH; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#13 Leah Simmons: MH; 6' 1"; Senior

#8 Camila Vazquez: MH; 6' 2"; Sophomore

#4 Bree Long: L; 5' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

#14 Hannah Nelson
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: OH

#13 Leah Simmons
: 6' 1"; Senior
: MH

#8 Camila Vazquez
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: MH

#4 Bree Long
: 5' 5"; Freshman
: L