NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball team (0-2) won its first game of the season, but was unable to win its first match, losing in four games, 30-23, 19-30, 30-27, 30-16, to Colgate University (1-1) Saturday afternoon in the Colgate Classic on Cottrell Court.

Senior Raelean Rush (Amherst, N.Y./Sweet Home) lead the squad offensively and defensively, collecting nine kills and 18 digs. Classmate Lindsay Kriger (Yorkton, Sask.) had eight kills and four block assists, senior Maurin Lawrence (Corfu, N.Y.) added eight kills and freshman Lauren Costello (Webster, N.Y.) had six kills, two solo blocks and eight block assists. Rookie Shannon Ryan (Fairport, N.Y.) collected 30 assists and 10 digs and senior Sara Mancini (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) added 12 digs.

In game one, Niagara trailed early but came back to tie the game at 10-10 on a Mallory Boron (Lockport, N.Y./Starpoint) kill. After another tie at 13, Colgate ran off three-straight points for a 16-13 lead. The Raiders were able to capitalize on Purple Eagle errors to increase their lead to 22-15. Niagara pulled within five at 28-23, but back-to-back hitting errors gave Colgate the 30-23 win.

Niagara won its first game of the season, beating Colgate 30-19 in game two. The Purple Eagles stormed out to a 6-0 lead, taking advantage of Colgate errors and a kill from Kriger. The Raiders got as close as 12-8, but the Purple Eagles cruised to the win.

In game three, the teams traded points until Colgate broke open an 8-8 tie to take a 12-8 lead on a Kelsea Loveless kill. The Purple Eagles tied it at 14-14 after Ryan and Rush had aces and Rush and Boron added kills. Niagara took a 16-14 lead on a Rush ace and a Colgate hitting error. The Purple Eagles kept the Raiders at bay until Colgate got kills from three different players to make it 21-21. Colgate took a 25-23 lead on a kill and a Niagara error. The Purple Eagles pulled within two points at 28-26 and 29-27, but the Raiders won the game with a kill.

Niagara trailed 10-1 early in game four and Colgate pushed it to 15-4, before Lawrence and Costello had back-to-back kills to make it 15-6. The Raiders then outscored the Purple Eagles 15-10 down the stretch to win the match.

Niagara continues play at 3 p.m. vs. New Hampshire.