Scoresheets
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara volleyball team edged the Gardner-Webb Bulldogs in five sets, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 15-12, on Saturday in the final match of the Niagara Invitational.

The Purple Eagles improved to 3-4 on the young season while claiming second place in their own invitational.

"This was a really nice win for our players," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "We were the lowest seeded team in our tournament and to finish with such a strong second place showing is a testament to the growth this team has worked so hard to achieve.  There were so many outstanding individual efforts, but the teamwork and balance were what ultimately made the difference today."

The freshman duo of Nicole Matheis and Alexis Gray provided a one-two punch for Niagara. Matheis, the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week, led Niagara in kills for the fifth straight match with 17 and added a career-best 17 digs for her second career double-double. Gray collected her second career double-double with a team-best 46 assists to go along with 14 digs.

Niagara held a 2-1 advantage after three sets. After dropping the first set, 25-20, NU won the next two sets by an identical score of 25-22. The Purple Eagles had their best hitting performance (.395) in the second set, while Gardner-Webb (1-6) committed nine errors in the third set.

The Purple Eagles, who were on the verge of closing out the match, was serving with the fourth set tied at 23-23 when the Bulldogs scored two straight points to force the deciding fifth set.

Niagara raced out to a 7-4 lead before GWU scored four straight to take an 8-7 lead. A kill by Amanda Sedore sparked a four-point spurt for the Purple Eagles. Leading 13-12, Melissa McGwin, who finished with 11 kills, registered consecutive kills to win the match for Niagara.

NU is back on the road next week to play in the Panther Classic hosted by Pittsburgh from Sept. 12-13 against Norfolk State, Duquesne and the host Pitt.

All-Tournament Team
Niagara – Nicole Matheis
Niagara – Alexis Gray
Gardner-Webb – Brianna Starr
Gardner-Webb – Tyler Cockrell
Providence – Jordan Wielser
Providence – Michelle Cruz
West Virginia – Nikki Attea
West Virginia – Lamprini Konstantinidou
WVU – Jordan Anderson (MVP)