BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Niagara saw its three-match winning streak come to an end with consecutive defeats on Saturday at the Hoosier Classic. The Purple Eagles were nipped by Indiana, 25-22, 28-26, 25-18, and fell in straight sets to Gonzaga (25-20, 25-15, 29-27).

“It was a tough day where we had our chances to win,” head coach Susan Clements said. “We need to find consistent play and everyone has to be ready to step up and give all out effort to compete against high-caliber conferences.”

Niagara 0, Indiana 3

Niagara kept the host on its heels for the first two sets, including having two set points in the second set, before eventually falling in straight sets.

NU started strong and held a 16-11 lead in the first set before IU (6-2) crept back into the match. Trailing 22-20, the Hoosier ended the set on a 5-0 run. 

In the second set, four straight aces by Kari Honomichl gave the Purple and White a 7-3 lead. Niagara had its first chance of taking the set at 24-23, but a set error by Niagara tied the match at 24-24. The Purple Eagles would then face set point at 25-24, but where bailed out by consecutive kills from Hannah Hedrick and Ellen Senf.

Niagara had another chance to close the set at 26-25, but IU would score three straight points including finishing the set with an ace.

Niagara and IU traded points in the early portion of the third set, until the Hoosier broke open the 10-10 standstill with a 7-2 run and pulled away for a 25-18 win.

Gonzaga 3, Niagara 0

Hedrick had a match-high 17 kills, to move to 23 kills shy of second place in career kills, and Sam Morgan extended her double-digit digs streak to 107 matches in the setback to Gonzaga (6-4).

Niagara couldn’t slow down an efficient Bulldogs squad that finished the match with a .366 hitting percentage. Gonzaga took the first set, 25-20, then started the second set on a 5-1 run to put the Purple Eagles in a hole they were not able to get out of.

The Purple Eagles and the Bulldogs went deep in the third set before the ‘Zags pulled out a 29-27 win to close out the match.

Hedrick was named to the Hoosier Classic All-Tournament team for her third all-tournament team selection this season. 

Niagara will face Big 4 rival Buffalo on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. The match will be broadcast by Lockport Community Television (LCTV) via tape-delay.

Hoosier Classic All-Tournament Team
EIU - Emily Franklin
Niagara - Hannah Hedrick
Gonzaga - Terran Poindexter
Gonzaga - Meredith Crenshaw
IU -Sam Thrower
IU - Morgan Leach
IU - Caitlin Cox (MVP)