Freshman Raelean Rush had a team-high nine kills Wednesday vs. Marshall.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball team (2-13) put together a solid defense, but couldn’t overcome a powerful Marshall (12-6) attack as the Thundering Herd defeated the Purple Eagles, 30-18, 30-20, 30-21, Wednesday at the Gallagher Center.

Junior Erin Graham and freshman Raelean Rush led Niagara with nine kills each. Junior Micole Daluisio had a match-high 10 digs. Niagara had 40 digs in the match.

Marshall was led by Kelly-Anne Billingy with a match-high 20 kills. The Thundering Herd hit .438.

"We played really well considering they’re ranked 70th in the nation," Niagara head coach Rocco Lucci said. "We played outstanding defense, especially when the other team’s coaches came up to us and told us that. We didn’t put up a strong block but we made up for it in the back row. ‘Miko’ (Daluisio) played outstanding. She made us tick tonight.

"We played a really good team tough tonight," Lucci continued. "We need to keep that going as we enter conference play this weekend. We have a few areas we need to shore up, but I think we are on the right path to where we want to be at this time of the year."

In game one, Billingy gave Marshall a 7-0 lead on her serve. She had a kill and an ace while Amber Sims added two kills.

After trailing 14-5, Niagara put together an 8-4 run to pull within seven, 19-12. The Thundering Herd then outscored the Purple Eagles, 11-6, for the win.

Marshall jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the second game, but Niagara responded with six points on three kills, an ace and three Thundering Herd errors for a 9-8 lead.

The game went back and forth until Marshall strung together five points to take a 16-12 lead. The Thundering Herd then outscored Niagara 14-7 to close the game.

Game three had Niagara leading three times at 10-9, 11-10 and 12-11, but Marshall hit .486 in the game to sweep the match.

Niagara opens Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play Saturday against Siena. The match will start at 3 p.m. at the Gallagher Center.