NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles began their final home weekend of play with a four-set win over the Iona Gaels on Saturday.

Match Summary
The first set found both teams tied early on after eight points of play, 4-4. From there, the Purple Eagles took a comfortable lead, leading by a set-high four points early, 13-9. While the Gaels came back and tied the score late, 22-22, the Purple Eagles took the next two points and went on to take the first set by a final of 25-23.
 
In the second set, NU got off to a fast start, winning the first three points of the set before building a comfortable lead, 8-2. From there, the Purple Eagles went on a 11-5 run to further pad their lead, 19-7, while holding the Gaels to a .000 hitting percentage over the course of the set. Led by Rylee Hunt, who recorded six digs in the set, the Purple Eagles held on with ease to take the second set, 25-14.
 
Niagara had more trouble in the third set however, trailing early until tying the score at 13-13. With the score tied at 18, Iona went on a 4-1 run to take the lead, 23-19. The Purple Eagles scored four of the next five points to cut the lead down to one, but the comeback effort fell short as Iona walked away with the set to force a fourth on the afternoon.

After the set started off early tied at 2-2, the Purple Eagles broke open the fourth set on an 8-3 run. Niagara led by a set-high eight later in the set, 21-13, before closing out the set and taking the match over the Gaels to open the weekend.

Eagle's Eye On…

• Coming off winning her second MAAC Rookie of the Week Award, Jaycie Roberts was tied for the team lead in kills with 10 while also notching 13 digs for her sixth double-double of the season.  
• Caroline Leitch also finished with 10 kills to share team-high honors.
• Meghan Higley had a team-high 18 assists while also finishing with seven digs.
• Rylee Hunt led the match with 20 digs.
• Alexis Gray recorded her fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 14 assists and 11 digs.
• Rachel Hall had 10 assists and seven digs.
• Draik Banks had a match-high .438 hitting percentage with seven kills and zero errors on 16 attacks.

Inside the numbers

• With the victory, the Purple Eagles clinched their best home record in a season since 2012 when the team finished 7-2 on its home court. NU has now won four straight at home matches and are 7-1 overall in the Gallagher Center this season.
• Rylee Hunt has recorded 20 or more digs in her last six matches.
• With the victory, the Purple Eagles Niagara has now won the last four matchups against Iona inside the Gallagher Center dating back to the 2014 season.

Coach's Corner

• That was an important win for the program particularly after Thursday's tough loss. I thought our setters moved the ball around well and that led to great numbers for Grace and Draik in the middle. Mattie did a great job on the right side today. Once again our floor defense was outstanding with numerous spectacular digs.

Up Next

• NU closes out its home schedule on Sunday against the Manhattan Jaspers at 1 p.m.
• Prior to the match, the Purple Eagles will honor their five seniors – Alexis Gray, Meghan Higley, Rylee Hunt, and Nicole Matheis. Madison May.

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