NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara volleyball team (21-8, 14-4 MAAC) finished its best regular season in school history in style on Saturday, besting rival Canisius in straight sets at the 'Taps' Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles will now prepare for the MAAC Tournament as the league's second seed.

"We wanted to use this game to go into the MAACs with a victory and it is a real boost to beat our crosstown rival Canisius," Niagara head coach Susan Clements said.

Niagara, the league's top offensive team, boasted at least 14 kills in each set of the 26-24, 25-17, 25-22 victory. NU outhit its rival .226 to .096 and 46 kills to 28. The win allowed the volleyball team to earn the season sweep of its Battle of the Bridge rivalry, taking an 8-4 lead in the 2009-10 standings.

Sophomore Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded 37 assists in the three-set victory. She finished the regular season with 1,099 kills, ranking tops in the MAAC.

Freshman Kari Honomichl (Petersburg, Mich.) tallied a game-high 14 kills and a .400 hitting percentage. Classmate Amanda Wilken (Cincinnati, Ohio) also continued her recent hot play with 10 kills, a .364 hitting percentage and a game-high four blocks.

Sophomore Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) recorded her MAAC-best 23rd double-double of the season with 10 kills and 10 digs, while Sam Morgan extended her streak to 59 matches with double-figure digs, adding 22 digs.

The Purple Eagles with find out their semifinal oppenet on Sunday. Niagara will play in the second match of the Nov. 22 MAAC Semifinals at 4 p.m. as the No. 2 seed.