BALTIMORE - The Niagara volleyball team (3-11, 1-2 MAAC) earned its first conference victory of the year with a four-set victory over Loyola (3-12, 0-3 MAAC) on Saturday. The freshman class contributed 52 kills, 59 assists and 59 digs in the win.

Despite being a player down due to injury, Niagara won the marathon third set 33-31 and held on in the fourth set for the 25-20, 23-25, 33-31, 25-20 victory.

Freshman Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) had a career-best performance for the young Purple Eagles. The outside hitter recorded a 20-20 performance with a career-high 24 kills and 20 digs. She also attacked at a .346 percentage in the win, another career-best.

"We pulled out a big team win (Saturday)," head coach Susan Clements said. "We had to fill in some holes and we needed players to step up. Hannah really came into her own today, and she is starting to take over matches."

Classmate Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) handed out 55 assists, one off her career-high total. In her last four matches, the setter has 56, 55, 50 and 55 assists.

Freshmen attackers Holly Allgeier (Louisville, Ky.) and Kathy Bibler (Bowling Green, Ohio) each added 12 kills in the victory. Down 25-24 in the third set, Allgeier recorded back-to back kills to help swing the momentum to the Purple Eagles in the eventual 33-31 win.

Sophomore Shannon Ryan (Fairpoint, N.Y.) stepped in at the attacking position to hit .333 with seven kills. She also added a team-high three blocks. Defensively, freshman Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) set a new career-high with 24 digs while sophomore Rebecca Suchy (Lancaster, N.Y.) added 11.

The Purple Eagles continue their conference road trip with a match at Rider (0-3 MAAC), Sunday at noon. To follow all the action via live stats, click here.