BALTIMORE - The Niagara volleyball team (0-5) lost both matches at the UMBC Tournament on Friday, 3-1. NU was defeated by the host school (4-1) in the first match of the day, 25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 25-16. Niagara won the first set in the afternoon tilt, but lost the final three to Duquesne (5-0), 18-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-14.

Freshman Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) tallied a pair of double-doubles on the day, and classmate Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) dished out 70 assists.

Despite the losses, the Purple Eagles had a season-high hitting percentage in both matches (.180 & .199) with five players totaling five or more kills in each match.

"At the end of the day, we were challenged back-to-back with difficult teams and each time we rose to the challenge," head coach Susan Clements said. "The scores did not reflect the competitiveness of those matches. As we work and develop, we will start to eliminate errors and push through to win."

UMBC 3, Niagara 1
Hedrick led the Purple Eagles with 10 kills while collecting 12 digs in the loss. The totals marked her second career double-double. James paced the offense with 28 assists while picking up five kills to zero errors for a .625 attack percentage.

Kathy Bibler (Bowling Green, Ohio) added seven kills in the morning session, while Holly Allgeier (Louisville, Ky.) and Shannon Ryan (Fairport, N.Y.) each picked up six kills apiece.

"UMBC was a real challenge for us," Clements said. "Other than So. Illinois, we had not faced such a quick and powerful team."

Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) posted a team-high 13 digs from the libero position. James added eight digs, while Rebecca Suchy (Lancaster, N.Y.) chimed in with seven.

"I was proud of our scrappy play and being able to take them to four sets," Clements said. "It showed our young girls that they have the ability to push and come back. It will take us time to grow and get that experience so many teams already have."

Duquesne 3, Niagara 1
Hedrick and Bibler carried the Purple Eagles in the second match of the day as each attacker tallied 11 kills. Hedrick scored another double-double, adding 11 digs, while Bibler attacked at a .391 pace with just two errors in 23 attempts.

James assisted on 42 of the 53 total attacks while adding six kills herself. Overall on the day, the rookie attacked at a .450 clip with 11 kills. Morgan added 16 digs in the loss.

The Purple Eagles close out the UMBC Tournament against UMES on Saturday at 2 p.m.