LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The Niagara volleyball team erased a two-set deficit, but dropped the deciding set as the sixth-seeded Purple Eagles fell to No. 3 seed Manhattan, 25-22, 25-18, 16-25, 28-30, 15-13, in the 2014 MAAC Championship Quarterfinals on Thursday.

"The team battled to the very end and played a superb match," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "It was one of those games that it's a shame there has to be a loser. It was exciting, spectacular volleyball and you have to give Manhattan their due for pulling it out in the end." 

Sophomore Alex Stone led Niagara in kills with a career-high 19. Alexis Gray shared game-high honors in assists with 49 and had a career-best 23 digs en route to her team-leading 14th double-double. Nicole Matheis had 14 kills and a career-high 23 digs for her 11th double-double of the season.  Rayenne Hale had 10 kills, Rylee Hunt led the team in digs with 26 and Allison Reis had 14 digs.

After dropping the first two sets, the Purple Eagles stormed back into the match by claiming the third and fourth sets.The first set was back-and-forth. NU used a 3-0 run for a 17-16 lead which led to a Manhattan timeout. A kill by Nicole Matheis put Niagara up 20-18, before the Jaspers went on a 6-0 run to take a 24-20 lead. The Purple Eagles fought off two set points before falling, 25-22. In the second set, the Jaspers went on a 11-2 run to build a 22-13 lead and won set two 25-18.

The Purple Eagles never trailed on their way to winning the third set. NU had a set-best 19 kills and a .381 hitting percentage. NU showed grit to pull out the fourth set. Trailing 24-21, the Purple Eagles reeled of three straight points to tie the match. After fighting off three set points, NU had two set points of its own. With the set tied at 28-28 consecutive kills by Matheis and Stone ended the set to force the fifth and final set.

Niagara jumped out to a 5-1 lead to open the fifth set. However, Manhattan would tie the match at 9-9 as both teams traded points until it was tied at 12-12 when the Jasper scored two score points for a 14-12 lead. NU managed one point back, but a kill by Manhattan's Claire Van Dyk won the match.

Niagara will continue play in the tournament on Friday at 2 p.m. against an opponent to be determined.