LOUDONVILLE, NY – Beginning conference last weekend in Western New York with two narrow defeats, the Siena Volleyball team returns home to the UHY Center to hold its conference home opener against Marist on Wednesday at 6 p.m. as part of three-match home stand that runs through the weekend. 

The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with Kelly O'Donnell and James Hosley on the call and it will also be "Water Bottle Wednesday" with the first 50 fans in attendance to receive free Siena Saints water bottles.  All live stats can be followed here and fans may follow the action with live video highlights, photos and updates on "X" @SienaVB.

The Saints (1-12, 0-2 MAAC) have been so close to winning matches this season that it can taste it.  Of the 36 sets in which the Saints have dropped, over half (19) has resulted in four points—or fewer in defeats. 
"Our team showed a lot of fight and grit in tight moments—especially in the Canisius match—going five sets and extra points," said third-year Siena head volleyball coach Simone Asque-Favia.

"It was a battle back-and-forth, which unfortunately, we did not win out in the end.  Even with Niagara, we were toe to toe.  It was a real emotional day on Saturday, going so long with Canisius. It was hard to rev that back up to full speed.  What's great is that we learned a lot about ourselves and we just have a few little areas to tighten up to get up to our potential." 

Among those performing well is senior outside hitter Sara Wagner, who leads the team and is ranked fifth in the MAAC in points with 186 (3.88 points per set).  Newcomer Doga Diraz, the transfer from Oregon State, has been efficient player up front as the Turkish sophomore ranks fifth in the conference in hitting percentage at .276. 

Additionally, last week's MAAC Rookie of the Week Salme Adeele Hollas has burst onto the scene by averaging 2.24 kills per set, good for second best on Siena.  The six-foot middle blocker is a redshirt freshman from Tartu, Estonia.

As for the Red Foxes (0-12, 0-2 MAAC), the Red Foxes are looking to get on back track after dropping a pair of four-set matches at Niagara and at Canisius as well last weekend. 

Marist saw six who graduated from its class off last year's roster off a season in which it went 14-16 including 12-6 in MAAC play.  The Red Foxes are led by freshman Taylor Miller (95 kills), Sara Dasic (73 kills, eight aces) and Jamison White (fifth in the MAAC with 266 assists).  On defense, Alyssa White leads the team with 21.0 total blocks. 

Siena leads the all-time series 46-31, but Marist has won the previous three match ups dating back to 2022.