Box Score

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – Niagara dropped a four-set decision at the Iona Gaels, 19-25, 25-23, 28-26, 25-20, on Sunday in its regular season finale.

Niagara (15-13, 12-6 MAAC), who had won nine straight in the series, soared to a first set win. The Purple Eagles had a match-best 20 kills for a .447 hitting percentage en route to claiming the set, 25-19.

However, Iona edged in the second and third sets.  Iona (10-19, 7-10 MAAC) squeaked past NU in the second set. A kill by Amanda Wilken put NU up 23-22, but Iona ended the set by scoring the next three points. The Purple Eagles trailed 24-22 in the third set, but tied the game with kills by Ellen Senf and Chelsea Watson   Both teams alternated the next four points, but the Gaels benefited from an attacking error and then won the set with a kill.

The Gaels built an eight-point lead in the third set and held off a late NU charge to snap their skid against the Purple Eagles.

Senf led the match with 18 kills, one shy of her season-high, and had a .350 hitting percentage. Wilken and Kari Honomichl each had 12 kills. Michelle James led the match with her fourth 50-plus assists match (52) of the season. Allison Reis led the match with 26 digs.

Niagara will be the fourth seed in next week’s MAAC Tournament and will play the host, Fairfield, on Saturday.