The Purple Eagles evened their record to 2-2 on the season while picking up their first win versus Binghamton (0-5) since 2001 and only their second win in seven attempts against the Bearcats.

“We are excited to come away with the win and accomplishing one of our goals for the season,” head coach Susan Clements said. “It was a great team effort with everybody stepping up their effort. Nicole (Bayer) did a great job stepping in for Michelle.”

Freshman setter Nicole Bayer led Niagara with 19 assists in her collegiate debut, while senior libero Sam Morgan had a match-high 22 digs and needs 13 digs to tie the program’s all-time digs record.

The Purple Eagles registered nine aces in the match while forcing 16 errors and holding the Bearcats to a .117 hitting percentage. Niagara closed out the first set on a 10-0 run, which was capped by an ace. The Purple Eagles used another late surge to take the second set, 25-18, with Kathy Bibler recording three of the final four points in the set. NU held off Binghamton in the third set for a 25-21 win.

“Serving was the driving force behind the victory,” Clements said. “This was probably the best match we played so far this season. Everyone was focus and the defense was great.

Niagara is back on the court this weekend to face a jam packed field at the Cornell Invitational. The Purple Eagles will open the invitational versus unbeaten Texas El-Paso (4-0) on Friday at Noon, followed by a match against American University (1-1) at 5 p.m. On Saturday, NU will take on Delaware State (0-0) at 10 a.m. and the host, Cornell (0-0), at 2 p.m.