AMHERST, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles fell in straight sets at local rival Buffalo, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21, on Tuesday night.

Amanda Sedore led the Purple Eagles with eight kills and added four digs. Nicole Matheis followed closely with seven kills and had eight digs, while Alexis Gray led the team with 17 assists.

"Tonight our team showed two different dimensions.  At times we played disciplined and ran a precise effective system and then at other times we showed the tell-tale signs of a team still trying to find its true character and playing within that style," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "There were times we played like we were still a little bit lost out there with unforced and uncharacteristic errors. Buffalo played well tonight and they did not give us any room as we tried to fight through those stretches." 

The Purple Eagles (4-9) had a strong start in the opening set. Niagara led 16-11 which forced a timeout by Buffalo. However coming out of the timeout, the Bulls went on a 7-1 run to take an 18-17 lead. A kill by Sedore halted the run, but the Bulls regained the lead and would eventually take a 22-20 advantage. Alex Stone had one of her three kills in the set to cut the lead to 22-21, but UB scored three of the next four points to close out the set, 25-22.

NU struggled to manufacture offense in the second set. The Purple Eagles failed behind early, while UB committed one error en route to winning the set, 25-14. In the third set, NU trailed 8-7 before the Bulls increased their lead to 15-11. Trailing 19-14, a kill by freshman Rayenne Hale sparked a run which saw Niagara score seven of the next 10 points. UB, though, scored the final three points to end the match.

Niagara has its conference home opening weekend against Rider on Saturday at 1 p.m. followed by Saint Peter's on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Sunday's contest will air on Lockport Community Television (LCTV).