Senior Michelle LeSouder had a match-high 18 kills Sunday.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Despite a match-high 18 kills from senior Michelle LeSouder (Stratford, Ont.), the Niagara University volleyball team suffered a three-game loss, 31-29, 30-26, 31-29, to Fairfield University Sunday afternoon at the Gallagher Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.

Classmates Stephanie Hopkins (Tonawanda, N.Y./Sweet Home) and Erin Graham (Oakfield, N.Y.) added 15 and 10 kills, respectively. Hopkins also recorded 15 digs. Senior Micole Daluisio (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) led the Purple Eagles with 17 digs.

Fairfield scored eight-straight points to take a 13-7 lead in game one. The Stags then scored five of the game’s next seven points for an 18-9 lead. The Purple Eagles rallied behind three LeSouder kills to cut the Fairfield lead to 28-24. Freshman Nicole Piette (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) had a kill to bring Niagara within two, 29-27. Graham served an ace before a Hopkins’ kill tied the match, 29-29. However, Niagara was called for a blocking error on the next play and Fairfield’s Alex Fox recorded a kill to end the game, 31-29.

Both teams again traded scoring runs in the second game. LeSouder recorded three of her seven kills late in the game to bring Niagara within one, 27-26. However, two Niagara hitting errors allowed Fairfield to pick up the 30-26 win.

Niagara opened a 7-2 lead in the third game behind two kills and an ace by Hopkins. Fairfield rebounded by scoring six of the game’s next eight points to give Niagara a 9-8 lead. The teams traded points until Niagara used a three-point run for a 22-20 lead after kills by Hopkins and LeSouder, respectively. Fairfield’s Lindsay Lee then recorded two kills and a block assist to give the Stags a 24-23 advantage. The teams traded points until Fairfield’s Lauren Campbell picked up one of her six kills on the afternoon to give the Stags a 30-29 lead. Niagara was called for a ball-handling error on the next play, giving Fairfield the win.

Jazmin Pa’akaula led Fairfield with 14 kills and she added 15 digs. Lee also recorded 15 digs to go with 11 kills. Lauren Laramore led the Stags with 18 digs.

Niagara, now 12-7 overall and 2-2 in MAAC play, will play Siena Oct. 29 in a 2 p.m. match in Loudonville.