BETHLEHEM, Pa. - The Niagara volleyball team won both matches of the final day of the Lehigh-Lafayette Crosstown Classic on Saturday. The victories over Providence (3-0) and Lehigh (3-1) gave the Purple Eagles more victories this season (7) than last season (6).

"It was a fun day (Saturday)," Niagara head coach Susan Clements said. "We were able to bounce back in the early match, and we were able to beat a very good Lehigh team later in the day. The season looks encouraging after our best preseason start."

Niagara 3, Providence 0
The Purple Eagles swept the Friars for the second time this season, this time on a neutral court, 25-12, 25-20, 25-15. The team attacked at .407 while holding Providence to .025.

Middle blocker Kathy Bibler (Bowling Green, Ohio) and outside hitter Kari Honomichl (Petersburg, Mich.) both chipped in with 12 kills while combining for just three errors. Hannah Hedrick (Cincinnati, Ohio) totaled 10 kills with two errors.

Sophomore setter Michelle James (Cincinnati, Ohio) added 33 assists with four kills in four attempts for a perfect 1.000 hitting percentage. Classmate Sam Morgan (Cincinnati, Ohio) had 18 digs.

Niagara 3, Lehigh 1
In the second match of the day, the Purple Eagles handed the Mountain Hawks their first home loss of the season. NU won 27-25, 25-21, 23-25, 25-19.

James was one of three players to record a double-double with 45 assists and 10 digs. Hedrick chipped in with 21 kills and 11 digs, while Honomichl had 21 kills with 13 digs.

Freshman Amanda Wilken (Cincinnati, Ohio) had a career-high 10 kills and a .506 attacking percentage. Morgan continued her double-digit dig streak with 20 digs in the win. Her streak is currently at 41, fourth in the nation.

Niagara returns home and opens MAAC play against Fairfield on Saturday.