Senior Michelle LeSouder had a match-10 kills vs. Fairfield.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball season came to an end Saturday as the Purple Eagles fell, 30-23, 30-25, 30-25, to Fairfield University in the semifinal round of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament held at the Gallagher Center.

Niagara, which ends the season at 16-10, was led by senior Michelle LeSouder (Stratford, Ont.) and her 10 kills. Freshman Nicole Piette (Lockport/Lockport) recorded a career-high nine kills to go with a career-best four solo blocks. Senior Micole Daluisio (Lancaster/Lancaster) picked up a match-high 19 digs to set the Niagara single-season record with 504 digs. Daluisio, the Purple Eagles’ all-time leader in digs, holds the top three single-season marks in that category.

Fairfield, the tournament’s number one seed, advances to Sunday’s noon championship match. The Stags (18-12) were led by Alex Fox’s 10 kills and eight block assists.

Both teams traded the game’s first points before Fairfield ran off six-straight points for a 13-7 lead. Niagara rallied behind two Piette kills to cut the lead to 20-17. The Stags then scored six of the game’s next seven points and recorded the 30-23 win.

Fairfield again got off to a hot start in game two, scoring eight of the first 10 points. Niagara rallied behind Piette’s two kills and one solo block to take a 12-10 lead. Fairfield responded by scoring nine of the next 10 points for a 19-13 lead as Fox had three block assists and one kill in the run. Niagara used a LeSouder kill to come within three points, 26-23, but could not take the lead.

The third game saw Niagara open with a quick start as Piette and LeSouder each had two kills and the Purple Eagles took a 7-3 lead. Fairfield used a five-point run to get within one, 11-10. Two kills by Kelly Oliver allowed Fairfield to tie the game at 14. After Piette recorded a block assist with sophomore Raelean Rush (Amherst/Sweet Home), Niagara had a 17-16 lead. Fairfield used another five-point run to take command, 21-18. The Purple Eagles tied the match, 23-23, with a kill by senior Stephanie Hopkins (Tonawanda/Sweet Home). Fairfield broke away from a 24-24 tie as Oliver picked up two kills to fuel the Stags’ late run.