LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles had their 2015 season come to an end with a straight set, 25-23, 26-24, 25-21, defeat to second-seeded Marist in the 2015 MAAC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday night.

"As the scores indicated this was a really close match that came down to keep plays at key moments," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "I thought Marist executed really well, they created separation and got key runs with their serving toughness and their ability to pass on our serve. "

Alexis Gray paced the offense with 19 assists and added 14 digs for her 19th double-double of the season. MAAC Libero of the Year Rylee Hunt led the match with 26 digs and Rayenne Hale led the Purple Eagles in kills with nine. Seniors Melissa McGwin and Taylor Edmonds had three and two kills, respectively, in their final match.

All three sets were tightly contested and the match finished with a combined 23 ties and nine lead changes; the first set along had 13 ties and five lead changes. Trailing 21-15 in the first set, Niagara (13-17) surged back into the lead thanks to a 7-1 run. The score was tied at 23-23 when the Red Foxes (21-9) scored consecutive points to take the set.

The Purple Eagles trailed 13-5 at one point in the second set before taking a 21-19 lead after a kill by Alex Stone. NU, then, faced two straight match points, but a kill by Stone and an attacking error tied the set at 24-24. Marist's Amanda Schlegel got a kill on the next play and an attacking error by Nicole Matheis was the final point in the set. The third set, like the previous two sets, was close as the Purple Eagles searched for a way to extend the match. Though trailing 23-20, the Red Foxes scored two of the last three points to seal the match.

"I was really proud of our team," Ozols said. "They can hold their heads up high for the effort and results they had at this MAAC Tournament."

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