NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The Niagara volleyball team (6-23, 4-13 MAAC) recorded a season-high 116 digs en route to a four-set victory over Iona (17-11, 9-7 MAAC) in New Rochelle, N.Y., on Sunday, 20-25, 25-20, 25-13, 25-16. Freshman setter Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded a triple-double in the win with 50 assists, 18 digs and 10 kills.

After narrowly missing the feat in two of her previous three matches, James put together a complete game to lead the Purple eagles to victory. She paced the offense with her eighth 50-assist contest of the year while reaching a carrer high with 10 kills. Her assist total gives the rookie setter 1,109 helpers on the season, just 24 assists shy of tying the NU single season record (1,133 - Jannifer Hansford in 2002) with one match remaining on the year.

After dropping the first set 25-20, Niagara picked things up on the defensive side of the net to swing the momentum Purple.

"The overall team effort that we have been looking for was there (Sunday)," Niagara head coach Susan Clements said. "Our blocking, passing and defense were on target."

The 116 digs were the most in the Clements' era at Niagara, as six Purple Eagles reached double digits, led by freshman Sam Morgan's (Cincinnati, Ohio) career-high 29.

Freshman outside hitter Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) achieved her 15th double-double of the year with a match-high 21 kills and 22 digs. Middle hitters Kathy Bibler (Bowling Green, Ohio) and Lauren Costello (Webster, N.Y.) combined for 22 kills, with the freshman Bibler reaching double figures with 13.

"Michelle really got us going on both sides of the ball today," Clements added. "Hannah was a force along with both of our middles."

Rebecca Suchy (Lancaster, N.Y.) had 19 digs, while Lisa Bilich (Pittsburgh, Pa.) and Shannon Ryan (Fairport, N.Y.) recorded 12 and 10 digs, respectively. Bibler, Costello and Ryan each added three blocks.

The Purple Eagles will travel south on I-190 to face cross-town rival Canisius in the season finale on Saturday, Nov. 15. The Battle of the Bridge contest begins at 7 p.m.