Stephanie Hopkins led Niagara in kills (21) and digs (17) Saturday.

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball team out-hit Siena, .260 to .239, Saturday, but came up short in a four-game loss, 30-28, 30-26, 21-30, 34-32. The Purple Eagles fell to 12-8 on the season and 2-3 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, while the Saints jumped to 13-11 overall and 2-2 in league action.

Senior Stephanie Hopkins (Tonawanda, N.Y.) led the way for Niagara, posting 21 kills and 17 digs, while also adding one service ace and one block solo. Senior Karen Simpson (Rochester, N.Y.) also shined, notching 12 kills with only one error on 24 total attacks, good for a .458 attack percentage. Senior Jennifer Hansford (Stratford, Ont.) completed the match with a team-high 33 assists.

After a close first game in which neither team controlled a lead of more than two points en route to the 30-28 win for Siena, the Purple Eagles managed a .160 attack percentage in the 30-26 game-two loss. Though falling behind through the first two games, Niagara returned to the court after the intermission with a comeback on its mind. With a. 258 attack percentage compared to Siena’s .069, the Purple Eagles cruised in the third game, 30-21.

Niagara continued the pressure in the fourth game, committing only five errors in 48 total attacks, to record an attack percentage of .396. But the Saints were just as strong with a .390 percentage and wrapped up the match with a 34-32 game-four victory.

The Purple Eagles conclude their road trip with a 1 p.m. showdown with Marist in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., Sunday.