NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Canisius College (13-7, 7-2) had four players record 11-or-more kills as the Golden Griffins defeated Niagara University (3-13, 1-8), 30-18, 28-30, 30-17, 30-20, Wednesday night in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference volleyball action at the Gallagher Center.

The Purple Eagles were led by junior Raelean Rush (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) and her match-high 15 kills. Rush also led Niagara with 20 digs.

Canisius’ Mary Boller led the way with 16 kills while Leigh Launhardt recorded 15 and Jen Smith and Aislinn Hayes each added 11.

The Golden Griffins opened an 8-3 lead in game one behind three kills from Launhardt and two more by Boller. Canisius then pulled out to a 15-6 lead after two aces by Jess Stackhouse, who also recorded 31 digs.

Rush led the way for Niagara in game two as she recorded seven kills and classmate Maurin Lawrence (Corfu, N.Y./Notre Dame) added five kills. Lawrence opened the game with back-to-back kills. The teams traded scoring runs throughout the game. Niagara took advantage of a Canisius ball-handling error to take a 29-28 lead and Lawrence then picked up an ace for the win.

Canisius’ Hayes had seven kills in game three while Smith added five as the Golden Griffins opened a 14-5 lead and cruised to the win.

Canisius opened a 12-3 lead in game four and never looked back in the win.

Niagara returns to action Saturday when it travels to Baltimore, Md., to play Loyola College at 2 p.m.