ITHACA, N.Y. – The volleyball team (2-6) was swept by Cornell University (1-0), Friday, in the opening round of the Cornell Invitational. The three-time defending Ivy League champions defeated the Purple Eagles 30-26, 30-23, 37-35, in the Big Red’s season opener inside Newman Arena.

Senior Maurin Lawrence (Corfu, N.Y.) led the Niagara charge with a team-high 14 kills. Classmates Raelean Rush (Amherst, N.Y.) and Lindsay Kriger (Yorkton, Sask.) also had double-digit kills with 13 and 10, respectively. Senior Mallory Boron (Lockport, N.Y./Starpoint) had a match-high 39 assists with five digs and three blocks.

Five different Purple Eagles recorded multiple blocks with Lawrence and freshman Lauren Costello (Webster, N.Y.) posting five apiece. Senior Sara Mancini (Lancaster, N.Y.) had a match-high 22 digs.

The Purple Eagles are back in action with a pair of matches on Saturday, as they take on Bucknell at 11 a.m. prior to a match with Montreal at 3 p.m., in the Cornell Invitational.