Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Niagara volleyball team fell in a five-set contest with in-state foe Syracuse (25-22, 21-25, 26-24, 27-29, 15-10) on Wednesday night

For the third time in the last four meetings, Niagara (6-8) and Syracuse (8-8) battled to five sets of intense action. NU nearly pulled off the upset in 2009 at the Gallagher Center without soon-to-be named MAAC Setter of the Year Michelle James due to injury. Last season, NU registered its first-ever win in the series after rallying down 2-1.

Kari Honomichl led the match with 18 kills for her 10th double-digit kills match this season. Honomichl has led the Purple Eagles in kills in all four career matches against the Orange, including a career-high 31 kills as a freshman in 2009.  Honomichl added 19 digs for her fifth double-double of the season.

After dropping the first set 25-22, the Purple Eagles tied the set at 1-1 thanks to a match-high .500 hitting percentage. The third set was tightly contested and with the scored tied at 24-24, the Orange earned two points for the win.

NU had an early 10-4 lead in the fourth set and led 24-22 when the Orange tied the match and eventually won the set 29-27.The fifth set was tied at 9-9 when SU reeled off six of the next seven points to end the match.

“We played hard and made Syracuse earn every point,” head coach Dottie Porch said. “I am happy about how much heart we showed and I am excited to see our progress and potential.”

James led the match with a season-high 55 assists and had 10 digs on the night. Ellen Senf had 15 kills and Amanda Sedore had a career-high 10 kills.

Niagara returns to conference action this weekend with road matches at Manhattan and Saint Peter’s.