NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara volleyball team (18-7, 11-3 MAAC) took another step towards clinching a MAAC Tournament berth with a win over Loyola (11-17, 6-7 MAAC) on Saturday. The Purple Eagles swept the Greyhounds 25-12, 25-14, 25-19 inside the 'Taps' Gallagher Center.

Loyola jumped out to an 11-8 lead in the first set, but errors doomed the Greyhounds on Halloween, and the Purple Eagles ended the first set on a 17-1 run, putting the match away. Niagara committed just seven hitting errors in the win, compared to 24 by Loyola. NU also attacked at a .368 percentage, while Loyola was -.022.

"We executed our game plan and kept them out of system," Niagara head coach Susan Clements said. "We were able to capitalize on their errors and take control of the match."

Sophomore Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) put together another offensive masterpiece, with 14 kills to just one error in 24 attempts for a .542 hitting clip. The outside hitter, who has recorded double-figure kills in every conference match this season, has totaled 240 kills and a .264 hitting percentage against MAAC opponents as a sophomore.

Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) handed out 23 assists while computing a perfect attacking percentage, five kills in five attempts. She battled through flu-like symptoms to lead the team to victory. Classmate Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) added a match-high 17 digs, including eight in the first set alone.

Freshman Amanda Wilken (Cincinnati, Ohio) had three kills and three solo blocks against the Greyhound offense.

The Purple Eagles take on Rider on Sunday at noon.