LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were edged by the Rider Broncs in four sets, 23-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-22, on Sunday.

"Today was a tough loss, but encouraging at the same time," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "The team played really well for the match and competed point for point with Rider in a tough road contest.  Losing the fourth set after building the big lead is hard to swallow for our players because they are such fierce competitors. Except for getting stuck in a couple of key rotations, it was a positive outing that we can grow from going into the final stretch of the season." 

Alexis Gray recorded her fourth straight double-double with a match-high 36 assists and added 13 digs as she now leads the team with 11 double-doubles on the season. Senior Amanda Sedore led the Purple Eagles (11-14, 7-7 MAAC) with 13 kills. Rylee Hunt led the match in digs with a career-high 33.

Niagara outlasted Rider (16-11, 9-4 MAAC) in the opening set, which had 13 ties and eight lead changes. The Purple Eagles, who had a set-high 14 kills, managed to close out the set 25-23.

The Broncs would tie the match at 1-1 after taking the second set, 25-19.  NU was narrowly clipped in the third set which also had 13 ties. A kill by Sedore tied the set at 21-21, but Rider would score four of the final five points.

NU was in control in the fourth set, until a momentum shift changed the course of the set. The Purple Eagles went on a 7-0 run to take a 16-9 lead. However, the Broncs responded with an 11-4 run to tie the match at 20-20. An ace by Sedore put Niagara up 22-20, but Rider ended the match scoring five straight points.

The Purple Eagles return home next weekend for their final home matches of the season against Marist on Saturday and Siena on Sunday.