BUFFALO — The Canisius volleyball team heads into its second-to-last weekend of competition on Saturday, as the Blue and Gold prepares for its final homestand of the 2016 campaign. The Golden Griffins have a tall order ahead of themselves on Saturday and Sunday, as the squad hosts the 2016 MAAC regular season champions, Fairfield, and the current second-place team, Quinnipiac on Sunday. Both matches are slated for 1 p.m. and will be shown on ESPN3.
Sunday will also serve as the team’s senior day, as the Canisius community thanks the efforts and contributions of three of its seniors, Jacklyn Malusa, Katlyn Tyler, and Gabrielle Vetere.
The Griffs had its second conference mid-week match on Wednesday, as the squad traveled up to Lewiston, N.Y., and battled Niagara for the second-half of the season series. Niagara bested the Blue and Gold in straight sets, (25-17, 25-23, 25-21) as the Purple Eagles swept the series and take the second point available in the Battle of the Bride volleyball segment. Both Jacklyn Malusa and Katlyn Tyler reached double figure kills, while Ceriani tallied her 12th double-double of the season with 29 assists and 14 digs.
Canisius is 6-17 overall and 4-10 in the conference. Canisius has posted its best record at home this year, going 3-4 at the Koessler Athletic Center, while going 3-13 away from the Buffalo. Canisius senior Katlyn Tyler leads the Griffs offense with her 3.24 kills per set average, which ranks third in the MAAC. Freshman setter Cassidy Ceriani ranks fifth in the MAAC with her 7.98 assists per set average. In the team’s win over Manhattan Oct. 8, Ceriani was credited with 61 assists, three assists shy of setting a program record. Cassidy Ceriani has been crowned the MAAC rookie of the week twice this season.
The Griffs head down the homestretch of the season this weekend, finishing its home slate and heading on the road for its final contests of the season. Following this weekend, Canisius will head to Iona and Manhattan, beginning Nov. 11 and 12. Both matches are slated for 1 p.m.
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