Box Score

The Niagara Purple Eagles swept the Rider Broncs, 25-15, 25-21, 25-16, on Sunday to extend their overall, conference and home winning streaks.

Niagara (15-7, 9-0 MAAC) concluded the first half of conference play with its best conference record (9-0) in program history, while winning its 28th consecutive match versus an MAAC opponent. The Purple Eagles, who haven’t lost a home MAAC game since Sept. 2009, extended their overall home winning streak to 15 matches which ranks 10th in the nation. 

Junior outside hitter Kari Honomichl led the match with 13 kills and classmate middle blocker Amanda Wilken added 12 kills and her .524 hitting percentage is the highest percentage (minimum of 12 kills) for a Purple Eagle this season.

The Broncs (4-18, 2-8 MAAC) made the Purple Eagles work for their 10th straight win this season, in particularly in the second set. Rider jumped out to a 7-1 lead, but NU patiently came back. Wilken brought Niagara level with a kill at 20-20 and the Purple Eagles would end the set on a 5-1 spurt. NU took the third set behind 17 kills and one error (.516).

Niagara finished the match with 12 service aces for its highest output since Sept. 20, 2008.

“Our serving made the difference today,” head coach Susan Clements said. “Even though we got down in set two, it was good to see our team fight back to take care of business. This upcoming week is going to be pivotal in determining who will be at the top and perhaps who will be at the (MAAC) tournament in November.”

Niagara’s next match will be a Battle of the Bridge clash at Canisius on Wednesday at 7 p.m.