ScoresheetsNIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Three Purple Eagles were in double-digit kills as Niagara fell to the Manhattan Jaspers, 26-24, 21-25, 25-18, 25-12, on Sunday to conclude its five-match home stand.
"Today's game showed that we are subject to large swings in momentum and confidence," head coach
Vilis Ozols said. "I think giving up the first game after having five game points hurt us. We came back in game two, but then Manhattan seized the momentum and executed really well. It put us on our heels and that resulted in the lopsided scores to close out sets three and four."
Rayenne Hale led Niagara (10-13, 6-6 MAAC) in kills for the second straight match with 11, and was joined by teammates
Alex Stone and
Amanda Sedore who each had 10 kills.
Alexis Gray recorded her team-best ninth double-double with 37 assists and 11 digs. Classmate
Nicole Matheis led NU in digs with 19 and chipped in with eight kills.
Manhattan (15-9, 8-4 MAAC) stole the opening set as it appeared the Purple Eagles were going to win. An ace by
Rylee Hunt put Niagara up 24-19 leaving NU one point away from winning the set; however, the Jaspers reeled off seven straight points to come out on top, 26-24.
Niagara rebounded in the second set to tie the match at one apiece. Leading 15-14, a 6-2 spurt by NU pushed it past Manhattan en route to taking the set, 25-21. Niagara had 15 kills and four blocks, which were set-highs for the Purple Eagles.
Though in the third and fourth sets, the Purple Eagles fell to maintain a consistent attack as the Jaspers surged past them with big runs. The set was tied at 6-6 in the third set when Manhattan went on a 10-2 run to break open the set. The Jaspers began the fourth set on a 12-2 run en route to closing out the match.
Niagara hits the road for a trip to the Garden State where it will be at Saint Peter's on Saturday, Nov. 1 at 1:00 p.m. and at Rider on Sunday, Nov. 2. Both matches are scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
