NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Trailing two games to none, head coach Susan Clements challenged her team in the locker room. After two disastrous sets against Rider (1-10, 0-2 MAAC), the first-year head coach told the volleyball team (3-8, 1-1 MAAC) that someone needed to step up in order to come out victorious.

Senior Raelean Rush (Amherst, N.Y.) answered her coach’s call, pounding out a career-high 32 kills to spark the Purple Eagles to a come-from-behind victory over the Broncs, 20-30, 26-30, 30-19, 30-28, 15-13. The win was the first in conference play for Niagara.

"Coach told us in the locker room that someone needs to step up and that it would be contagious," Rush said. "I decided that it was going to be me."

The Purple Eagles stormed out of the locker room on a mission, and quickly took the third set 30-19. Niagara picked up its blocking and attacking after the pep talk and put together a complete game.

Clements inserted freshman Shannon Ryan (Fairport, N.Y.) into the rotation, giving the Purple Eagles another option for setting and attacking. Classmate Lauren Costello (Webster, N.Y.), the MAAC’s leading blocker, fought through a pregame illness to rebound with six blocks after the second game, while freshman Rebecca Suchy’s (Lancaster, N.Y.) back row play was key to the turn around as well.

"We felt that we needed another spark on the floor," Clements said. "Shannon gave us another look and Lauren really stepped up her blocking. Rebecca played a big role for us with her defense and her serving. She really played smart for us."

"Then we just jumped on Raelean’s back," she added. "She played phenomenal. We couldn’t have asked for anything more."

Rush paired her 32 kills with 21 digs for her fourth double-double of the season and 18th of her career. Rush also attacked at a season-high .400 clip with two blocks and a pair of assists. Senior Maurin Lawrence (Corfu, N.Y.) chipped in with eight kills while Suchy added seven. Senior Mallory Boron (Lockport, N.Y.) handed out 48 assists in the MAAC win.

The Purple Eagles hit the road next weekend with a pair of MAAC matches against Iona and Fairfield.