Anne Nugent

Stacy Koslosky

Jessica McAndrew

Valerie Arnone

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball team (8-20, 4-5) lost its final match of its 2003 season Saturday when it lost 3-2 (30-22, 17-30, 30-20, 23-30, 11-15) to Iona (18-12, 7-2) at the Gallagher Center.

Four Purple Eagles finished in double digits led by sophomore Michelle LeSouder (Stratford, Ont.) who had a match-high 20 kills. Classmate Erin Graham (Oakville, N.Y./Oakville Alabama) had 16 kills and 15 digs. Seniors Stacy Koslosky (Elma, N.Y./Iroquois) and Valerie Arnone (Buffalo, N.Y./Kenmore West) had 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Sophomore Micole Daluisio (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) added a match-high 18 digs and senior Jessica McAndrew (Ellicottville, N.Y./Ellicottville) had 12 digs.

Colleen Walker had 20 kills and 15 digs, and Miki Hogg added 10 kills and six block assists for Iona.

"It’s tough to see the season end early," Niagara head coach Rocco Lucci said. "We took three of the MAAC Championship teams to five games. It would have been nice to beat (Iona) and end the season on a winning note."

In game one, the teams traded points until Niagara took advantage of six Iona errors and went on an 8-0 run to lead, 26-20, late in the game. The Purple Eagles finished the game by scoring four of the next six points, including back-to-back blocks for the final two points.

Niagara trailed 20-16 in game two before Iona closed the game with an 11-1 run. The Gaels had seven kills and a service ace during the stretch.

The Purple Eagles hit .267 in game three and put together three runs for the win. Niagara led 11-8 when it ran off four points to take a 15-9 lead. The second run came when the Purple Eagles scored six of seven points to take a 25-16 lead. Niagara then closed the game with a 5-2 run.

Iona tied the match when it put together a 14-5 run after Niagara led 18-17 midway through the fourth game. The Purple Eagles committed nine errors and the Gaels had four blocks during the run.

Niagara jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fifth game, but Iona scored six of the next seven points to take a 7-6 lead. The Purple Eagles tied it at 10 with back-to-back kills by Arnone. The Gaels closed the match scoring five of the final six points.

Koslosky, Arnone, McAndrew and Anne Nugent (Rockville Centre, N.Y./South Side) all played their final collegiate match.