SCORE: Iona 3, Niagara 2 (24-26, 15-25, 25-20, 25-19, 15-13)
RECORDS: Iona (8-12, 6-3), Niagara (10-7, 6-2 MAAC)

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles were edged in five sets by the Iona Gaels on Sunday for their first conference road defeat of the season.

Match Summary 
The Purple Eagled looked well on their way to victory after claiming the first two sets.
 
The tightly contested opening set, with 17 ties and five lead changes, went into extras. Niagara clinched the set with back-to-back kills from Grace Hetterscheidt and Caroline Leitch. Niagara rode the wave of momentum from winning the first set into the second set. The Purple Eagles opened the set on a 9-2 run and held at least a four-point lead throughout the set on their way to a 2-0 lead.
 
Iona pulled one back by taking the third set, 25-20. The Gaels broke a 13-13 tie by scoring four straight points. NU responded with three straight points, but Iona held off the Purple Eagles in the final stages of the set. In the fourth set, the Gaels seized momentum with a 6-1 run for a 15-9 advantage. The Gaels had 15 kills for the second straight set and had a .364 hitting percentage en route to tying the set at 2-2.
 
Niagara scored the deciding set's first four points. However, Iona scored six of the next eight points. The teams alternated points as the scoreline seesawed over the next 11 serves. The Gaels closed the match scoring three of the final four points.
 
Eagle's Eye On…

• Four Purple Eagles recorded double-doubles.
• Nicole Matheis had her team-leading seventh double-double with a team-high 14 kills and 12 digs.
• Rachel Hall led NU with 21 assists and added 11 digs for her fifth double-double.
• Jaycie Roberts had 11 kills and 10 digs for her fourth double-double.
• Alexis Gray recorded 11 assists and 10 digs for her second double-double
• Rylee Hunt led the match with 32 digs for her fourth 30-plus digs match of the season.

 
Inside The Numbers

• Niagara's 6-2 conference record is its best since 2012.
• Niagara's 54 kills and 49 assists are the second most this season.

 
Coach's Corner

• "That was an exciting finish with lots of momentum swings. I felt like our offense stalled at key points in the match and give full credit to Iona for playing with great intensity to pull out the win." – head coach Vilis Ozols

Up Next

• The Purple Eagles return home to host rival Canisius on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 p.m.

 
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