NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara volleyball team (3-1) was facing adversity Tuesday night against an undefeated Big East team, but showed extreme determination in a five-set loss to Syracuse (4-0) at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles narrowly lost the first set, came back to win the third and fourth sets, but eventually fell to the Orange, 26-24, 25-19, 27-29, 28-30, 15-10.

Niagara was playing without Preseason All-MAAC and reigning Co-MAAC Rookie of the Year Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio), who is day-to-day with a foot injury. The Purple Eagles looked to junior co-captain Shannon Ryan (Fairport, N.Y.) to pick up the setting duties, something she hasn't done since moving to the outside hitting ranks two seasons ago.

Ryan responded with a career-high 50 assists as she almost led her team to one of the biggest upsets in program history.

"I told the team beforehand that this match was a test to see how we would handle adversity," Niagara head coach Susan Clements said. "Would we be a team that fights and finds a way to win, or would be be a team that finds ways to let this beat us? I stressed that this would show us what we were made of, and (Tuesday night) I found out that we are full of heart and fight, and I am extremely proud of this team."

Freshman Kari Honomichl (Petersburg, Mich.), who was named MAAC Rookie of the Week on Monday, started to make an early case to keep the Rookie of the Year trophy in Monteagle Ridge with her performance Tuesday night. The outside hitter pounded out a career-best 31 kills on the night to go along with a career-high 12 digs for her first double-double.

Despite missing James, the two teams were evenly matched throughout the contest. Niagara and Syracuse traded blows in the first set, but the Orange took a 17-14 lead. That's when Honomichl took over on the outside. The Niagara defense knotted the score at 17-17 before the rookie recorded three-straight kills to take a 20-17 lead. NU advanced the lead to 24-22, but the experience of Syracuse prevailed with four consecutive points and the opening set win.

After falling behind 2-0, the Purple Eagles responded with an emotional third and fourth sets, winning both frames in extra time. NU converted on its fourth set point in the third set to win 29-27, and then the Purple Eagles fought off three match points in the fourth before claiming a 30-28 win, forcing the deciding fifth set.

Despite failing behind 8-2, Niagara made one last charge, but ran out of gas for the potential upset, 15-10.

Ryan added eight kills, six digs and a team-best two blocks on the night, while sophomore Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) continued her double-double barrage with 16 kills and 17 digs.

The Purple Eagle defense and passing keyed the comeback, as sophomore libero Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) collected a career-high 37 digs while adding a career-best eight assists. Junior Rebecca Suchy (Lancaster, N.Y.) had 11 digs, five kills and four helpers.

Niagara totaled 72 kills on the night, the most since collecting 72 winners against Canisius on Oct. 14, 2007. NU also recorded 67 assists in the loss, as five different student-athletes picked up the slack with at least 2 helpers.

Niagara hits the road for three matches in Wilmington, N.C. The Purple Eagles face Columbia on Saturday at 4 p.m. before taking on UNC-Wilmington at 7 p.m. They will conclude their trip against Wilmington on Sunday at 2 p.m.