FAIRFAX, Va. – The Niagara Purple Eagles started this holiday weekend with two wins at the Patriot Invitational on Saturday. NU topped Navy in five sets and swept the host, George Mason.

Navy 2 Niagara 3
Niagara (3-2) rallied from two sets down to sink the Mids (1-3) in five sets.  NU was two points away from losing the match before mounting the comeback victory. The Purple Eagles staved off defeat with consecutive points – a kill by Ellen Senf and an ace by Taylor Scully – to win the set, 26-24.

The Purple Eagles cruised to a fourth set win, 25-12, to force a fifth set. Niagara opened the fifth set on a 6-0 run. Navy cut the lead to 8-4, but the Purple Eagles held their nerves and closed the match by taking the fifth set 15-8.

“We showed a lot of heart and hustle,” head coach Dottie Porch stated.  “Once we started playing our game it got a little easier. The first two sets we were a little hyped up but once we settled down we were fine”

Niagara had an excellent serving match; the Purple Eagles 12 aces compared to Navy’s four.

Kari Honomichl tied a match-best with 19 kills, had nine digs and two assists. Senf was second on the team with 13 kills. Michelle James recorded a double-double with 41 assists and 11 digs.

Niagara 3 George Mason 0
The Purple Eagles coasted to a 3-0 victory against the Patriots (1-3). Niagara had four different players with at least seven kills, including a career-high 10 by sophomore Amanda Sedore.

“We played a nice control match,” Porch said.  “We felt like our game was on; we passed well and played great defense. It was a good end to a great first day of the tournament.”

Niagara hit a match-best .412 in the opening set en route to claiming the first set. Niagara followed with a 10-3 spurt to start the second set and held off a late charge to win 25-22. The Purple Eagles showed grit in the third set. Trailing 23-21, NU took a 25-24 lead and eventually won the set, 27-25.

Honomichl once again led the match with 12 kills, while Senf joined Honomichl and Sedore in double-digit kills. James led the match with 37 assists.

Niagara will put its three-match winning streak on the line when it plays South Carolina (5-0) on Sunday at 3 p.m. to conclude play at the Patriot Invitational.