FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University women's volleyball team welcomes Niagara and Canisius this weekend for its final two home matches of the season. SHU will celebrate Senior Day before its Sunday bout against Canisius. 

SHU VS. NIAGARA MATCH INFORMATION 
Sacred Heart vs. Niagara – Saturday, Nov. 8; 6:00 p.m.

SHU VS. CANISIUS MATCH INFORMATION 
Sacred Heart vs. Canisius – Sunday, Nov. 9; 3:00 p.m.

LAST TIME OUT
Sacred Heart earned big MAAC wins over Quinnipiac and Merrimack this weekend. The Pioneers beat both teams in four sets. 

THANK YOU SENIORS
Before Sunday's match, the Pioneers will celebrate Senior Day for the three graduating players on the team. Camryn Luginbuhl, Allison Murray and Peyton Plant will all be honored for their final collegiate home matches. Luginbuhl has had a star-studded career, owning 1,314 kills and 1,467 points in three years with SHU and one with Hartford. Murray played three campaigns at Saint Francis University before her final year at Sacred Heart. She has racked up 529 kills and 602.5 points in her career. Plant has played at Southern Illinois University, Texas A&M-Commerce and SHU. The setter from Littleton, Colo., has tallied 482 assists in her career.

PLAYOFF PICTURE
Heading into this weekend, the Pioneers are sixth in the MAAC standings at 8-6. SHU is two matches out of a top-four spot, which would guarantee it a bye in the first round of the MAAC Championship. A win and a Siena loss would clinch a postseason spot for Sacred Heart with four matches left. The Pios will have their work cut out for them in their final four contests of the season, as they will play three of the top five teams in the league.  

REACHING 300
With a thrilling four-set victory over Quinnipiac this past Saturday, Sacred Heart women's volleyball Head Coach Rob Machan reached the career-milestone of 300 wins. Over his 18-year career, Machan owns a record of 301-225 (.572) after turning the Pioneers into a powerhouse in the Northeast Conference (NEC). He has led Sacred Heart to four conference championships and five regular-season titles.

LOOKING ACROSS THE NET
Niagara

• The Purple Eagles are 13-12 overall heading into Saturday's match, ranking fifth in the conference at 9-5. 
• Niagara owns a stellar 8-4 record in home matches but have not been as crisp on the road at 4-6. 
• NU got the better of SHU in the first meeting this season in four sets. 
• Senior middle blocker Laryssa Imbuzeiro has been one of the best middles in the MAAC this season, leading the league in total blocks (112), blocks per set (1.29) and hitting percentage (0.351). 
• The Purple Eagles have been one of the best defensive teams in the country, ranking eight in D1 with 17.75 digs per set. 
• Senior setter Bella Peroni is sixth in the country with 5.28 digs per set.

Canisius

• The Golden Griffins are fourth in the MAAC with a 10-4 record, clinching a postseason spot already. 
• Canisius is riding a four-match win streak into this weekend, last falling to Quinnipiac in three sets on Oct. 26. 
• During that streak, the Golden Griffins have played five straight matches at home, as Saturday's bout at Fairfield will be their first away contest in almost three weeks. 
• Pacing the defensive efforts for Canisius is senior libero Jillian Hanna, daughter of head coach Tom Hanna.
• Hanna leads the team in digs (4.42) and digs per set (424).
• On offense, junior setter Ella Bourque has 790 assists on the team's 1,144 kills.