NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - Freshman middle Kathy Bibler (Bowling Green, Ohio) had the best match of her young career, propelling the Niagara volleyball team (2-11) to a four-set win over Missouri-Kansas City (5-10) on Wednesday inside the Gallagher Center. Bibler set a new career-high with 17 kills, including nine in the third set of the 25-23, 24-26, 25-22, 28-26.

For the first time all season, in a back-and-forth contest, the youthful Purple Eagles fought through and claimed victory. In the fourth set, NU fell behind 23-21 and 24-23, clawing back into the match and eventually winning 28-26.

"We were able to find a way to win (Wednesday night), which is something we have been struggling with," head coach Susan Clements said. "We don't care who it is going to be, but we need someone to step up, and tonight it was Kathy."

Bibler totaled 17 kills to just one error in 31 attempts for an attack percentage of .516. In the third set alone, the middle blocker tallied nine kills without an error, as the Purple Eagles took a 2-1 lead.

Overall, the Purple Eagles continued their recent hot play, out-hitting the Kangaroos 60-42. They also totaled six blocks, which pleased Clements.

"We worked on our blocking all day in practice on Tuesday," Clements said. "Not only did we get six team blocks, but we were able to get a piece of a lot of their attacks, which is what we were working for."

Freshman Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded 50 assists and a career-high 22 digs for her sixth-straight double-double. Classmate Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) totaled 16 kills and 14 digs in the win. Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) had 16 digs with a 96.0 percent serve recieving percentage (52 attempts).

The Purple Eagles are back in action with a pair of road MAAC matches against Loyola and Rider on Saturday and Sunday.