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Niagara University Athletics

3
Winner Siena SIE 7-7, 4-1 MAAC
2
Niagara University NIA 5-10, 2-3 MAAC
Winner
Siena SIE
7-7, 4-1 MAAC
3
Final
2
Niagara University NIA
5-10, 2-3 MAAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Siena SIE 14 25 25 24 15 (3)
Niagara University NIA 25 23 18 26 13 (2)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Volleyball Edged In Five Sets

Scoresheets

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were nipped in a five-set thriller by the defending MAAC champion Siena Saints, 14-25, 25-23, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13, on Saturday.

"That was a really fun match to be involved in," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "The shifts back and forth in momentum were very exciting for all involved. I was very proud of the way our team played both on defense and on offense. I thought ultimately at crunch time our unforced errors were the difference. There were certainly opportunities early to put the match away as well and the outcome might have been different if we had been able to take advantage of those."

Several Purple Eagles had tremendous stat lines. Rayenne Hale led the offense with a season-high 14 kills to go along with a career-high 23 digs for her third double-double of the season. Nicole Matheis had nine kills and 18 digs, and Alex Stone had eight kills and a season-high nine blocks (five solo, four assists).  Alexis Gray had her team-leading seventh double-double of the season with 35 assists and 15 digs and Rylee Hunt stretched her double-digit digs streak to 26 matches with 24 digs. NU also had a season-high 14 blocks.

The match had 33 ties and 11 lead changes. After winning the opening set, 25-14, behind a splendid 85 percent sideout, the Purple Eagles (5-10, 2-3 MAAC) lost the next two sets. The fourth set was tied at 24-24 when Hale and Stone picked up consecutive kills to force the deciding fifth set.

The swing of momentum continued in the fifth set, which had six ties and four lead changes. After trailing 6-3, Niagara tied the set at 10-10 and then was two points away from the win leading 13-11. However, Siena (7-7, 4-1 MAAC) scored four straight points to clinch the match.  

The Purple Eagles return to the court on Sunday to host Marist at 1 p.m.

Stay connected with the Purple Eagles through social media. Follow Niagara Athletics on Twitter @NUPurpleEagles and for volleyball updates at @NiagaraVB. Check in with the Purple Eagles on Facebook/PurpleEagles and on Instagram @NUPurpleEagles. 
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