NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara volleyball team put in a comprehensive performance to sweep the Marist Red Foxes, 25-18, 25-23, 25-15, on senior day Sunday at the Gallagher Center. Niagara wrapped up its home conference schedule unbeaten for the third time in program history.

“Today was a great way to send the seniors out with a big win at home against Marist,” head coach Susan Clements said.

Prior to the match Niagara (21-8, 16-1 MAAC) held its first senior day ceremony in three seasons. Lauren Costello, Rebecca Suchy and Shannon Ryan were all honored during a pregame ceremony. Suchy finished the match with one kill and six digs, Costello had two kills and a block assist and Ryan recorded 10 digs and two assists.

The Purple Eagles fed off of the emotion from the event and jumped to a 5-0 lead in the first set. NU ended the set scoring the last four points to win 25-18. In the second, the Purple Eagles were up 17-10 before Marist (12-16, 7-9 MAAC) charged back into the set to take a 22-20 lead. Down 23-21, Niagara scored the final four points in the set with a kill from Hannah Hedrick and Amanda Wilken and two Marist attacking errors. In the third set, Niagara coasted to a 25-15 win with a match-high .355 hitting percentage. 

Niagara completed its conference home schedule with a 9-0 mark and is 17-1 at home in conference play in the last two seasons, including winning 17 straight. Niagara has gone undefeated at home in conference action twice in program history, going 4-0 in the 1991 and 1995 seasons. The Purple Eagles extended their winning streak to 15 matches, which is the seventh longest streak in the nation.

Hedrick led the match with 12 kills, freshman Ellen Senf had eight kills, Kari Honomichl and Wilken each had seven kills. Michelle James led the match with 33 assists and Sam Morgan had 14 digs to bring her double-digit digs streak to 91 matches. 

Niagara concludes the regular season with a rivalry match at Canisius on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.