NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Siena College’s Christie Gustafson had a match-high 13 kills to power the Saints (16-12, 12-3) past Niagara University (4-19, 2-14), 30-17, 30-25, 30-22, Saturday afternoon at the Gallagher Center in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action.

Niagara was led by junior Raelean Rush (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) with nine kills. She added four service aces and 11 digs. Junior Sara Mancini (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) led both teams with 18 digs.

Siena used an eight-point run to open a 21-9 lead in game one. Gustafson and Nadiege Honore each had four kills in the game, which also saw Siena record five service aces.

After Niagara opened a 19-16 lead, Siena scored seven-straight points, two via aces, to take a 23-19 lead in game two. The Purple Eagles used a kill and a solo block by Rush to go with a service ace by junior Mallory Boron (Lockport, N.Y./Starpoint) to tie the game, 25-25. Siena then used two blocks, two Niagara errors and kill to pick up the 30-25 win.

The Saints opened game three with an 8-1 run and never looked back. Niagara rallied to a 27-22 deficit after two aces by Rush. Siena won the game with a Gustafson kill.

Niagara plays its final home match of the regular season Sunday at 2 p.m. against Marist.