SCORE: Niagara 3, Rider 2 (21-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-27, 15-9)
RECORDS: Niagara (12-7, 8-2 MAAC), Rider (12-11, 6-5 MAAC)

NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Looking to continue their dominant play at home, the Niagara Purple Eagles defeated Rider in an exciting five-set match on Saturday in the Gallagher Center.

Match Summary 
The first set of the afternoon was in favor of Rider of the start. The Broncs, who had a kill percentage of .345 in the opening set, led by as many as five later into the set, 18-13. Niagara was able to cut the down to two late, making the score 23-21, but the comeback effort was not enough as Rider won the final two points to take the opening set.
 
Unlike the previous set, the second set would be more competitive from beginning to end, with 12 tie scores and 5 lead changes. With the score tied early in the set, 4-4, Niagara went on a 7-2 run, resulting in its largest lead of the set, 11-6. With the score tied up at 17-17 neither team found themselves able to distance themselves from the other, with neither team leading by more than one point over the next 16 points. The Purple Eagles were then able to close out the set, thanks to a pair of kills from Draik Banks and Jada Carrol - both assisted by Rachel Hall - tying the match at one set apiece.
 
The Purple Eagles found themselves in control for much of the third set, never sacrificing the lead once they broke an early tie at 7-7. While the Broncs held their ground and didn't trail by more than three for the remainder of the set, they were unable to bite deep enough into Niagara's lead, giving the Purple Eagles a set advantage after three sets of play.
 
Rider was able to break out into a quick lead to start off the fourth set, leading eventually by a set-high eight points early on, 18-10. The Purple Eagles were able to work their way back into the set, going on a 15-6 run late to take a one-point lead, 25-24. While the comeback effort brought NU back into the set, they were unable to finish, with the Broncs winning the final three points, resulting in a fifth and final set to be played.
 
Both teams kept it close to start the fifth set, with no team leading by more than two before they found themselves tied again later, 6-6. From there, Niagara went on a 9-3 run to close out the set, clinching the match victory over the Broncs on their home court.  
 
Eagle's Eye On…

• Jaycie Roberts finished with a team-leading 22 kills and 15 digs, good for her second double-double in her last three matches and fifth of the season.
• Meghan Higley led the team and set a new career-high in assists with 28, while also recording nine digs.
• Nicole Matheis also established a new career-high in digs with 24.
• Alexis Gray had her fourth double-double of the season by setting a new season-high in assists with 17, in addition to her 14 digs, the most digs she has had in a set since the season opener against Colgate on Aug. 25 (18). 
• Rylee Hunt recorded a team-best 27 digs, along with a season-high 11 assists, for her first double-double of the season.  
• Coming off a week in which she won Rookie of the Week honors from the MAAC, Grace Hetterscheidt recorded 11 kills, giving her double-digit kills in three straight matches.
• Draik Banks had 11 kills, her most in her last eight matches.
• Rachel Hall delivered 15 assists, giving her five straight matches with at least 10 assists.
• Jada Carrol finished with 10 kills.

 
Inside the Numbers

• Niagara is now 3-0 in their last three home matchups against Rider, winning by a combined set total of 9-3.
• With the victory at home coupled with their win at Rider on Sept. 17, Niagara's sweep over Rider is their first a season since 2012.
• NU's 8-2 start in MAAC play this season is their best since the 2011 season. 
• The Purple Eagles are now 22-12 in the all-time series against the Broncs.

Coach's Corner

• "That was an exciting match and it was fun to watch our team get better in their execution of the offense and defense as the match went into into crunch time. Meghan quarterbacked a wonderful run at the end that was the difference." – head coach Vilis Ozols.

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles will look to sweep the weekend at home against the Saint Peter's Peacocks on Sunday at 1 p.m.