The volleyball team opens play at Alumni Hall this weekend with a pair of MAAC matches against Canisius and Niagara. The Stags (5-9, 2-1 MAAC) will take on the Griffs on Saturday, Sept. 22 followed by the Purple Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 23. First serve for both matches is set for 2 p.m. Fans that cannot attend will be able to follow the match using LiveStats.

Canisius (3-10) enters Saturday's contest with a 1-1 MAAC record after splitting with Rider and Loyola. The Griffs are lead defensively by Jess Stackhouse, a Preseason All-MAAC pick, who leads the team with 5.07 digs per game, good for second in the conference. Sophomore Michelle Godfrey is third in the conference in blocks per game, averaging one block per contest. The Stags are 14-6 versus the Griffs and have won the last two meetings against Canisius.   

Niagara (3-8) also enters with weekend with a 1-1 record in the MAAC after splitting with Rider and Loyola. The Purple Eagles are led by senior Raelean Rush, the reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week. Rush is sixth in the conference in kills, averaging 3.44 per game. Five other Purple Eagles dot the top-10 in the MAAC statistics. Rookie Shannon Ryan leads the conference in blocks, averaging 1.27 per contest. Fairfield has had Niagara's number, winning the last 14 meetings.

To help celebrate the first home matches of the season for the Stags, there are several events going on at Alumni Hall. On Saturday, fans are encouraged to Pack the Stands to receive free Stag volleyball t-shirts. Saturday is also Stags Kids Page Day as members can redeem their completed September activity sheet for a free rally towel. The fun continues on Sunday as there will be a post-match Autograph Session with the volleyball team that is open to all fans.