ScoresheetsNIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University volleyball team swept the Rider Broncs on senior day to clinch the final spot in the 2015 MAAC Tournament on Sunday.
"That was a wonderful effort by our team today," said head coach
Vilis Ozols. "To beat any team of that caliber in three straight sets just underscores how well our team is playing. It's so nice to be playing well at this time of the year and it will be a huge boost for us going into the MAAC championship. It was also so amazing to see the fan support the Niagara University student body brought to the match. It was a huge difference maker."
The Purple Eagles (12-16, 9-9 MAAC) dominated the Broncs (16-16, 11-7 MAAC) on their way to sealing the sixth and final spot in next week's MAAC Tournament. Niagara will face the host, third-seeded Siena, on Friday at 5 p.m.
NU had to endure a nail-biting opening set before winning the second and third sets convincingly. The first set went back-and forth with the Purple Eagles serving for the match at 24-21. However, Rider scored three straight points to tie the set at 24-24. A kill by
Melissa McGwin put Niagara back in front and an attacking error by the Broncs handed NU the set.
The Purple Eagles sprinted to a 9-1 lead to open the second set on their way to a 25-19 win. NU never trailed in the third set with
Taylor Edmonds recording the final point of the match, 25-18.
"It was particularly gratifying to see our seniors do so well on senior night and special congratulations to
Taylor Edmonds and Mel McGwin on their last home game here at the Gallagher Center," Ozols said.
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