LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles defeated third-seeded and defending tournament champions Siena Saints in straight sets, 25-16, 25-23, 25-19, in the 2015 MAAC Tournament First Round on Friday night.

Niagara (13-16) snapped a six-match losing streak to the Saints (16-13) while eliminating the host in the process. The Purple Eagles will face No. 2 seed Marist in the semifinals on Saturday at 8 p.m. on ESPN3.

"The team played a complete match tonight," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "I thought Alexis Gray ran our offense to perfection keeping their defense off balance all night. Our defense was a key factor in frustrating them and keying the victory. Rayenne Hale and Nicole Mathis on the outside each had a spectacular attacking night and the middles, Alex and Mel, were equally devastating. This was a fun match to be a Purple Eagle!" 

Alexis Gray recorded her 18th double-double with a match-high 33 assists and 10 digs. Rayenne Hale led the match with 12 kills and had nine digs. Melissa McGwin and Alex Stone had 11 and eight kills, respectively, while Nicole Matheis had a match-high 15 digs to go along with eight kills. Recently named MAAC Libero of the Year Rylee Hunt had 13 digs.  

The Purple Eagles got off to a quick start to the match. Behind a strong serving performance by Nicole Matheis, NU took a 10-3 lead. The Purple Eagles maintained at least a five-point lead for the remainder of the set to win the first set, 25-16.

In the second set, the Purple Eagles were trailing 8-3 before starting a rally. NU tied the score at 17-17 and the lead changed three times over the next 10 points. Consecutive kills by Rayenne Hale broke a 22-22 tie and she would clinch the set with a kill on the last point of the set for a 25-23 win.

Niagara gradually pulled away in the third set. The set was tied at 4-4 when an attacking error on the next point gave the Purple Eagles the lead for good. NU build an 11-6 lead and saw it cut to 17-14, but held off any Saints run with timely points. A kill by Nicole Matheis sealed the set and the match for the Purple Eagles.

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