The Niagara University volleyball team continued conference play with a comeback home win against Rider University.

Match Summary

• After dropping the first set, the Purple Eagles prevailed and won the next three to give them the win against Rider.
• In the first set, Rider started off hot, creating a 10-3 lead off of an ace by Devyn Holland; Niagara recovered strong, making the score as little as 21-20, but Rider held on winning the first set 25-21.
• The second set had nine tied scores between the two teams. The Purple Eagles extended their lead after back-to-back kills by Nicole Matheis. Niagara would take the second set 25-21.
• Rider bounced back to control most of the third, but Niagara battled back. Through extra play, and a score of 26-26, Niagara scored two points off an attack error by Rider and a set-winning ace by Alexis Gray.
• After being down 2-0 to start the fourth set, Niagara went on a 7-1 run to grab a hold of the set. With the set tied at 19-19, consecutive kills by Caroline Leitch gave the Purple Eagles an advantage they would hold on to. Senior Alex Stone finished the match with a kill.

Purple Points

• Niagara has won its first two home matches for the second straight season; the win marks Niagara's first conference win of the season.
• Nicole Matheis led the match with 20 points and added her fifth double-double of the season with 18 kills and 12 digs.
• Madison May had a match-high 19 kills while tacking on 19.5 points.
• Alexis Gray posted 26 assists with 10 digs, making it her team-leading seventh double-double of the season and her fourth straight.
• Junior Meghan Higley assisted 22 times during the match, making it her new career-high in assists.
• The Purple Eagles added a new season-high in kills with 61.
• The Purple Eagles had three players in double digit digs: Matheis (12), Hunt (12), and Gray (10).
• Niagara's .261 hitting percentage is the highest thus far this season, surpassing the previous percentage of .233 against Cal State Fullerton (Niagara won).

 
Coach's Corner

• That was a gritty win for our players. I thought our players really stepped up, particularly in the scramble and out-of-system plays. I also thought our passing, serving and defense made a huge difference for us. That is a very good Rider squad that dropped to 0-3 in conference play and that was a critical conference win for us. – Head Coach Vilis Ozols

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles will continue conference play at home tomorrow against Saint Peter's at 1 p.m.

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