Box Score 

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara volleyball program rallied from a set down to defeat the Canisius Golden Griffins in four sets (19-25, 25-22, 25-20, 25-20) to extend its win streak against its rival to nine matches.

“We played well,” head coach Dottie Porch said. “Once we executed the game plan, we controlled the match.”

It was almost an identical script to the first meeting between the programs just 11 days ago with the only difference being Niagara (10-10, 7-3 MAAC) was up a set before winning the third and fourth sets. In tonight’s match, the Purple Eagles had strong outings by Kari Honomichl, Ellen Senf and Michelle James; the trio performed well in the first meeting, too.

NU sprinted to a 7-1 lead to open the match; however with NU leading 13-7, Canisius (11-9, 8-2 MAAC) went on a 16-3 run and held on to a win the set, 25-19. In the second set, the Purple Eagles and Golden Griffins were tied 13-13 when NU used a 7-2 run to pull ahead. NU held off Canisius, 25-22, to tie the match at 1-1.

NU’s attack became stronger and more efficient as the match went as Canisius struggled to keep up. This was evident in the third set. NU had a match-best .341 hitting percentage and was paced by Honomichl who had 10 of her match-high 21 kills in the set as NU won the set 25-20.

The Purple Eagles built an eight-point lead midway through the fourth set and won the match on a kill by Honomichl. The Petersburg, Mich. native finished with 21 kills, which are the most by a Purple Eagle this season, 12 digs for her seventh straight double-double and 11th of the season and added three aces.

Senf was back in the double-digit kills category with 13 and James finished with her fifth double-double of the season with 53 assists and 10 digs. Allison Reis led the match with 18 digs and freshman Logan Rae finished with 13 digs and two aces.

Niagara improves to 4-0 in this season’s Battle of the Bridge with two wins in volleyball and one in men’s soccer.

The Purple Eagles wrap up their five-match homestand this weekend with matches versus Marist and Siena.