Box Score

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Niagara Purple Eagles bid for a fourth straight MAAC Volleyball Championship ended with a four-set (25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 25-21) defeat to the No. 1 seed Fairfield Stags in the 2012 MAAC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday.

“We fought hard today and wanted to win, but it didn’t happen for us this year,” head coach Dottie Porch said.

Niagara (15-14) was attempting to become the first team to win four consecutive titles since Siena won four from 2005-08. The Purple Eagles knocked off Fairfield in the last two MAAC Tournaments, including in the 2011 MAAC Final, en route to claiming the crown.
Today, NU had to beat the top-seeded Stags (21-8) on their home court where they were 10-0 on the season.

The match featured momentum swings throughout and it started in the opening set. Fairfield went on a 10-2 run to take a 15-7 lead. Trailing 22-16, the Purple Eagles managed a run to get back into the match. NU scored five straight points, before the Stags reeled off three consecutive points to win the set, 25-21.

Niagara responded resiliently in the second set. The Purple Eagles held of Fairfield’s runs throughout the set. NU led 20-17 before the Stags cut NU’s lead to 22-21. An attacking error by Fairfield opened the door and the 2012 MAAC Player of the Year Kari Honomichl closed it for the Purple Eagles. A Honomichl kill gave NU a 24-21 lead and she finished the set with a kill two points later, 25-22. NU had a match-high 17 kills and match-low two errors in the set.

Fairfield jumped out to an early 6-2 lead to begin the third set. The Stags had a 18-11 lead at one point and won the third set, 25-20

Needing to win to stay in the match, NU took control of the fourth set. The Purple Eagles led 4-1 and with them leading 10-9, NU had a 6-1 spurt to take a 16-10 advantage. However, the Stags went on a 7-0 run to seize back the momentum. Niagara tied the match twice afterwards, but Fairfield scored the last three points to win the set and clinch the match.

“It was a tough season with all of the changes and players having to step up and play and to be leaders in a new system,” Porch said. “The seniors worked hard and were great role models and set a high standard as to what it takes to win. We appreciate their hard work and effort.”

The senior class of Michelle James,  Amanda Wilken and Honomichl will leave NU as the winningest class in program history. The trio won 94 matches, three conference championships and had three appearances to the NCAA Tournament.

Honomichl finished with a match-high 19 kills and had 18 digs for her team-leading 18th double-double of the season. Honomichl concludes her career with 1,481 kills (third most in program history) and as the all-time leader in aces (154).

James had 49 assists to finish her illustrious career with 4,821 assists. Wilken had 12 kills to be one of three Purple Eagles in double-digit kills; Honomichl with 19 and Ellen Senf had 13.