NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara volleyball team topped the Loyola Greyhounds 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-17) on Sunday to complete its conference home opening weekend without dropping a set.

“Today we really executed the game plan,” head coach Susan Clements said. “Our defense, blocking and serving were on point today. It was great to sweep the weekend and we want to continue this momentum.”

The Purple Eagles even their record to 8-8 on the season and improved to 3-1 in conference play. Niagara had eight blocks and eight assists, both second highest of the season, and continued its recent dominance of the Greyhounds (5-12, 0-4 MAAC). The Purple Eagles have now won five-straight matches against Loyola and haven’t lost a set at home since 2007.

Niagara had runs in each set to eventually pull away for the win. The Purple Eagles were trailing 8-10 in the opening set when they went on a 7-1 run to coast to a 25-17 win. In the second set, NU used a 6-1 run with the score tied at 10-10 to take the set, 25-19. Consecutive errors by Loyola in the third set broke the 12-12 tie and the Purple Eagles took advantage by closing the match without trailing for the rest of the set.

Kathy Bibler tied a game-high with nine kills and was followed by Ellen Senf who had eight kills. Michelle James had a game-high 27 assists and had four kills. Hannah Hedrick provided five kills and 11 digs. Sam Morgan tied a team season-high of five service aces and  had 17 digs to extend her NCAA-best double-digit digs streak to 78 matches. 

Niagara takes its conference slate back on the road next weekend beginning with a match against the Manhattan Jaspers on Saturday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.