Scoresheets

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles opened their home and conference schedule with a dramatic five set win, 25-11, 25-23, 19-25, 21-25, 15-7, over the Fairfield Stags on Saturday.
 
The Purple Eagles (4-7, 1-0 MAAC) looked poised to sweep the Stags after a dominating 25-11 win in the first set and holding on to win the second set. However, Fairfield (4-6, 0-1) won the third and fourth sets to setup the deciding fifth set where the Purple Eagles never trailed.
 
"This was a very gratifying win for our program," head coach Vilis Ozols said. "It was a game of momentum and I was particularly proud that we were able to come back after dropping the third and fourth set and play so well in the fifth. I thought our team did a really good job of executing the game plan and when it came down to crunch time that was all the difference."
 
Alexis Gray led the match with 32 assists and a career-high 31 digs for her sixth double-double of the season. Four Purple Eagles were in double-digit kills. Melissa McGwin had an outstanding match on both offense and defense. She led the match with 12 kills and her .478 hitting percentage and nine blocks were a season-high for a Purple Eagle.
 
Rayenne Hale had 11 kills and nine digs, Alex Stone had a season-high 11 kills, and Nicole Matheis recorded her fourth double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs. Rylee Hunt had 26 digs to extend her double-double digs streak to 22 matches.
 
NU returns to the court on Sunday to host Quinnipiac 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.