SCORE: Niagara 2, Marist 3 (17-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13)
RECORDS: Niagara (2-12, 0-2 MAAC), Marist (2-10, 2-0 MAAC)

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Niagara University Purple Eagles battled the Marist Red Foxes in five contested sets before falling on Sunday.

Match Summary

• Niagara won the first and third sets, while Marist took the second and fourth sets.
• The Purple Eagles pulled away earlier in the first set. With the score tied at 8-8, a block by Alex Stone and Nicole Matheis sparked a 14-5 run on their way to winning the set, 25-17.
• After Marist tied the match at 1-1, NU regained the lead by taking the third set. The set score was tied at 20-20 when the Purple Eagles scored the final five points of the set.
• The Red Foxes maintained their early lead in the fourth set to tie the match at 2-2.
• In the deciding set, Niagara trailed 7-3 but stormed back to take a 13-12 lead.  However, the Red Foxes scored three straight points to win the match.  

Purple Points

• Nicole Matheis led the match with a season-high 23 kills, two shy of tying a career-high which she set against Iona on Oct. 25, 2015 (a Purple Eagle season-high). She was also one of three Purple Eagles in double-digit digs with 10 for her fourth double-double of the season, and also had a team season-high 25.5 points.
• Alexis Gray had her team-leading sixth double-double with 22 assists and 15 digs. Her four aces in the match ties a personal and team-high this season.
• Rylee Hunt had a match-high 19 digs for her 11th consecutive match in double-digits.  
• Meghan Higley had a season-high 14 assists.
• Niagara had 10 aces which are tied for second most this season.

Coach's Corner

• Our team played with such intensity it was a shame to come out with the two-point loss. Nicole Matheis had a spectacular match. We just needed to dig a little deeper to try and close out the match.  – Head coach Vilis Ozols

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles return to the Gallagher Center to host Rider on Saturday at 1 p.m.  and Saint Peter's on Sunday 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.