Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – A determined Niagara volleyball team displayed a strong performance to top the Bucknell Bison in straight sets (28-26, 25-19, 25-23) in its last match of the La Salle Invitational on Sunday.

The duo of Kari Honomichl and Ellen Senf led the way for Niagara (1-2); Honomichl led the match with 16 kills and Senf was second with 15 kills and led NU with a .419 hitting percentage. Amanda Wilken had nine kills and a .389 hitting percentage, while Michelle James led the match with 37 assists and was one dig away from a double-double.

“We played well and in control of the match the whole time,” head coach Dottie Porch said. “Because we had good serve/receive we were able to execute our offense efficiently.” 

Niagara sprinted out to an early lead in the opening set and NU was one point away from claiming the set when Honomichl recorded one of her eight kills in the set. However, Bucknell (2-1) reeled off four straight points to tie the match at 24-24.  The Purple Eagles faced set point at 26-25, but Senf tied the match with a kill and clinched the set two points later.

NU had little trouble winning the second set, 25-19, and had a match-best .316 hitting percentage. Niagara had to grind out the third set which featured seven lead changes. The Bison went up 23-21 before NU tied the match with kills by Taylor Edmonds and Senf. With the match tied at 23-23, the Purple Eagles got consecutive kills from Senf and Honomichl to win the match.

Honomichl was named to the all-tournament team. She averaged 4.27 kills per set and 3.09 digs per set in three matches.

Niagara will travel to Fairfax, Va. next weekend to participate in the Patriot Invitational where it will face Navy, George Mason and South Carolina.