NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara volleyball team was crowned the champions of the 2009 Niagara Invitational Tournament after finishing off Hartford with the third consecutive sweep to open the season. The Purple Eagles improved to 3-0 for the first time in program history with a 25-15, 25-19, 25-23 victory over the Hawks.

Sophomore Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) was named Tournament MVP after recording her third-straight double-double. The outside hitter tallied 13 kills and 13 digs in the championship victory.

"This weekend was a great confidence booster," Hedrick said. "We knew we could be 3-0 if we worked hard, and this will help us with our momentum into the season."

The Purple Eagles led from the start, using all facets off the game. NU recorded a season-high 10 total blocks and boasted a perfect team reception percentage throughout the match. Five different Purple Eagles totaled at least six kills.

"It is incredibly rewarding to come out and win our tournament," Niagara head coach Susan Clements said. "It is such a change from last year, and it shows how our hard work has paid off."

Sophomore setter Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) paced the offense with 37 assists. She also landed on the All-Tournament Team totaling 105 assists (11.7 per set). Classmate Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) has recorded double-digit digs in every match since stepping on campus, running her streak to 33 matches (Sunday) with 15 digs.

Sophomore Kathy Bibler (Bowling Green, Ohio) stepped up in the final set and totaled seven kills. She was one of six players with at least two blocks on the afternoon. Freshmen Kari Honomichl (Petersburg, Mich.) and Amanda Wilken (Cincinnati, Ohio) both continued their hot collegiate start. Honomichl had six kills, bringing her weekend total to 26 which is second on the team, while Wilken had her best match of her career with seven kills and six blocks. Junior co-captain Shannon Ryan (Fairport, N.Y.) also pounded out six kills and added three blocks, one solo.

The Purple Eagles hot start marks the first time a team has won the season-opening tournament in program history. Niagara next takes the 'Taps' Gallagher Center court on Tuesday against Syracuse at 6 p.m.