NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. - The Niagara volleyball team fell in a five-set thriller against Big Four rival the Buffalo Bulls, 3-1 (20-25, 25-12, 25-20, 26-28, 15-12), in its 2010 home opener on Wednesday night.

A jubilant crowd of 215 spectators witnessed an exciting brand of Western New York volleyball.  Prior to the start of the match, co-captains Michelle James, Sam Morgan and Shannon Ryan helped unveil the Purple Eagles’ 2010 NCAA Tournament banner.

“It was special,” said head coach Susan Clements on the ceremony.  “Nothing that will happen this year will ever take away what happened last year. We keep telling the team that we have to find what this team is about.”

Niagara (2-2) rode the momentum from the ceremony and sprinted to a 19-7 first set lead. The Purple Eagles withstood a UB (3-1) comeback to win the first set, 25-20. The Bulls rebounded by taking the second set, 25-12. The third set was close throughout. An attacking error by UB tied the set at 17-17,but the Bulls would eventually win the set 25-20 after scoring three-straight points to take a 2-1 lead.

The Purple Eagles had their best hitting percentage (.167) of the night in the fourth set to pull out a dramatic win to even the match at 2-2.  NU had a five-point lead halfway through the set, but saw its lead dwindle to 22-21. UB twice took the lead at 25-24 and 26-25, but Hannah Hedrick twice brought Niagara level with kills. An attacking error set up Niagara’s chance to take the set.  James set up fellow captain Ryan for the kill to win the fourth set, 28-26.

In the final set, UB jumped to a 5-1 lead. A kill by Kari Honomichl cut UB’s lead to 9-7, but that would be the closet Niagara would get, falling 15-12 to end the match.

“Tonight was a tough test,” Clements said. “UB is getting better each year and has a talented team. We played hard, even though our passing wasn’t great, but we fought to the end and that is what we look for.”

Hedrick led the team with 13 kills and had 11 digs for her second-straight double-double match. James had her fourth-straight 30-plus assist match with 37. Morgan’s double-digit dig streak is now at 66 matches after collecting 19.

The loss snaps NU’s eight-game home winning streak dating back to last season; NU’s last home defeat was on Sept. 19, 2009.

Tonight's match will air on Lockport Community Television (LCTV) on Thursday (3 a.m., 7 p.m.), Saturday (1 am, 7 a.m.) and Sunday (9:30 p.m.).

Niagara will travel to play in the Youngstown State Invitational this weekend where it will face Central Michigan, Youngstown State and Howard.

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