Sophomore Raelean Rush had a team-high 15 kills Sunday vs. Akron.

NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Led by Molly Rutledge’s game-high 22 kills, the University of Akron (10-18) downed Niagara University (14-9), 27-30, 30-28, 30-24, 30-22, Sunday afternoon in non-conference volleyball action at the Gallagher Center.

Niagara was led by sophomore Raelean Rush (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) who had a career high 15 kills. Seniors Michelle LeSouder (Stratford, Ont.) and Stephanie Hopkins (Tonawanda, N.Y./Sweet Home) added 15 and 12 kills, respectively. Senior Micole Daluisio (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) led Niagara with 19 digs while Hopkins recorded 15.

Niagara got six kills from freshman Nicole Piette (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport) in the first game. Rush, who had three kills in the opening game, gave Niagara a 26-25 lead with a kill. Piette recorded back-to-back kills for a 29-26 lead before Rush picked up a kill to give the Purple Eagles the 30-27 win.

The teams traded points in game two before Akron took a 28-25 lead after a Niagara hitting error. Rush and Hopkins each recorded a kill to bring Niagara within one, 29-28, but Akron picked up the win with a kill by Mara Capraruola.

The third game saw both team string together scoring runs before Akron rallied from a 23-20 deficit. The Zips ran off six-straight points before sophomore Lindsay Krieger (Yorkton, Sask.) had a kill. Akron responded with two kills and a block assist from Rutledge for the 30-24 win.

Akron again ran off six-straight points to take a 9-6 lead in game four. The Zips pushed the lead to 21-14 after a Rutledge kill. Rush had back-to-back kills to bring Niagara within six, 26-21. Akron then scored four of the game’s next five points for the win.

Akron’s Rachael Rush (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) led the Zips with 43 assists.

Niagara returns to Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action with a 3 p.m. match Nov. 12 against Rider.