Box Score

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. –  The Niagara Purple Eagles began their five-match homestand with a sweep (25-21, 25-23, 25-17) of the Iona Gaels on Saturday.

NU (9-9, 6-2 MAAC) had .303 hitting clip, which was its second highest effort of the season, as the Purple Eagles reeled of their third straight win and ninth straight versus Iona (7-13, 3-5 MAAC).

“We played well and I am excited to see our progress,” head coach Dottie Porch said. “We came out strong and wanted to spread our offense out and we accomplished that.”

Not a lot separated Niagara and Iona through the first two sets. Both teams traded points in the first set, but with the scored tied at 18-18, the Purple Eagles scored seven of the next 10 points to win the set 25-21.

The second set was tied at 19-19 and NU trailed 23-22 when senior Kari Honomichl tied the match with one of her set-leading eight kills. Consecutive attacking errors by Iona ended the set in favor of NU, 25-23.

Niagara had its best hitting output in the third set (.375). Honomichl set the program's all-time aces record as part of a 10-2 run to open the third set. Honomichl’s only ace of the match moved her ahead of Tammy Greek (’93) who had 139 aces. The Gaels made a run to cut the lead to 14-13, but the Purple Eagles responded by closing out the match with an 11-4 spurt.

Honomichl led the team with 14 kills and led the match with 15 digs for her fifth straight double-double and ninth of the season. Senior Michelle James recorded her fourth double-double with a match-high 37 assists and added 12 digs. Ellen Senf had her 12th match with double-digit kills and seventh straight with 13 kills.

Niagara will host Fairfield on Sunday at 2 p.m. The match will be broadcast by Lockport Community Television (LCTV).