Scoresheets NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – A season-high in hitting percentage, strong serving and blocking were the catalyst in the Niagara Purple Eagles' dominating straight-set win, 25-11, 25-15, 25-19, of archrival Canisius on Wednesday night at the Gallagher Center to complete the regular season sweep.
"This was a really big win for this group of athletes in so many ways. They executed extremely well and it was our best outing of the season," head coach
Vilis Ozols said. "It also gave them a lot of confidence to show what they are capable of, because they played up to their full potential tonight."
Niagara's .349 hitting percentage is a season-high while its nine blocks are the most in a three-set match and the seven aces are the second most in a three-set match this season. The Purple Eagles, who improved to 11-2 in their last 13 matches with the Golden Griffins, controlled the match from the start. NU sprinted to a 7-1 lead in the opening set, and at one point led 20-10, as the Purple Eagles won the first set, 25-11, behind a .536 hitting clip.
The second set was tied at 9-9 when a kill by
Nicole Matheis sparked a 10-0 run for the Purple Eagles. A kill by
Rayenne Hale would wrap up the set, 25-15. Niagara trailed for the first time in the match in the third set, though briefly. Canisius led 5-4, but found itself trailing 15-8 after an 11-3 spurt capped by consecutive aces by
Rylee Hunt. A kill by
Melissa McGwin finished the match in favor of the Purple Eagles, who holds a 4-0 lead in the Battle of the Bridge series.
"The team came out and played very aggressively tonight," Ozols added. "Our middles had an excellent night and that is a sign of great teamwork because it takes a combination of a strong first pass and a good set for those kinds of results."
Middle hitters
Alex Stone and McGwin combined for 21 kills and four blocks. Stone led the match with 12 kills and had a .529 hitting percentage.
Amanda Sedore had a match-high 13 digs and was one kill away from a double-double.
Alexis Gray finished with a match-high 35 assists which are the most in a three-set match.
Niagara wraps up its five-match homestand this weekend against Iona (Saturday) and Manhattan (Sunday) with both matches starting at 1 p.m.
