BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Niagara volleyball team (6-24, 4-14 MAAC) ended the 2008-09 season with a four-set loss to cross-town rival Canisius on Saturday, 22-25, 25-12, 25-19, 25-22. Freshman Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) set the single-season assist record with 1,149 in the loss.

"We played hard through a tough season," Niagara head coach Susan Clements said. "We have a lot of learning and growing to do, but we have a positive outlook on the program. We are already excited for the spring and to get better for next year."

The youngest team in the nation suffered through 37 hitting errors in the season finale. While Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) had a team-high 15 kills, she also led the team with 13 errors. Kathy Bibler (Bowling Green, Ohio) and Lauren Costello (Webster, N.Y.) each had double-digit kill totals with 12 and 10, respectively.

James recorded a double-double with 40 assists and 10 digs. The rookie setter needed just 25 helpers to break the school record, and set up Bibler in the third set for the record-breaking kill.

Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) also inched up the single-season chart in digs. She recorded 13 in the Canisius match, giving her sole possession of the third spot with 472 digs. Hedrick's 15 kills gave her 357 on the season, good for ninth on the single season list.

Bibler's season hitting percentage of .262 also cracked the top 10.

The Purple Eagles eight blocks were a season-high.