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Niagara University Athletics

leitch
3
Winner Niagara NIA 18-9, 14-4 MAAC
1
Quinnipiac QUI 10-21, 9-9 MAAC
Winner
Niagara NIA
18-9, 14-4 MAAC
3
Final
1
Quinnipiac QUI
10-21, 9-9 MAAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Niagara NIA 20 25 25 25 (3)
Quinnipiac QUI 25 23 21 18 (1)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Purple Eagles Beat Bobcats In Regular Season Finale

SCORE: Niagara 3, Quinnipiac 1 (20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-18)
RECORDS: Niagara (18-9, 14-4 MAAC), Quinnipiac (10-21, 9-9 MAAC)
 
HAMDEN, Conn. –  The Niagara University volleyball team closed out its regular season with a 3-1 victory over the Quinnipiac Bobcats on Sunday. Niagara improved to 18-9 overall and 14-4 in the MAAC, and will be the No. 2 seed in next week's MAAC Tournament.  
 
Match Summary
After dropping the first set, the Purple Eagles powered through the next three to come away with the win. Quinnipiac closed the first set on an 8-3 run, but the Purple Eagles tied the set with a strong finish in the second set. Trailing 19-16, NU scored six straight points to take a 22-19 lead. With the set tied at 23-23, a service error followed by a kill by Jada Carrol won the set for NU.
 
Niagara seized control of the third set with help from Caroline Leitch and Grace Hetterscheidt. The duo were a part of four straight points to give Niagara an 18-14. Leitch had a kill and a block assist and Hetterschedit had a kill and two blocks (one assist and one solo). A kill by Hetterscheidt capped the set in advantage of the Purple Eagles, 25-21.
 
NU sprinted to a 9-2 lead to open the fourth set. After Niagara's lead was trimmed to 13-11, a kill by Leitch sparked a 9-3 run as the Purple Eagles finished off the Bobcats.
 
Eagle's Eye On…
  • Caroline Leitch led the match with a season-high 14 kills and led NU with a season-high 15.5 points.
  • Rylee Hunt had a match-high 25 digs for her 20th 20-plus digs match of the season.
  • Meghan Highley had her third double-double of the season with a team-high 20 assists and with 11 digs.
  • Draik Banks was second on the team with 11 points due to eight blocks (six block assists and two solo) and six kills.  
  • Nicole Matheis had nine kills and 10 digs.
  • Alexis Gray was in double-digit assists for the 20th time this season with 17 assists.
 
Inside The Numbers
  • Niagara's 18 wins are the fourth most in program history and are the most since 2011.
  • Rylee Hunt's 630 digs are the second most in a single season.
  • The Purple Eagles improved to 12-1 all-time against Quinnipiac.  
  • Niagara has won four of its last five matches.
 
Coach's Corner
  • "We modified our lineup today and the team did a good job of adjusting and delivering. Caroline did a great job at outside hitter and there were great performances across the board. Quinnipiac is a formidable team and I suspect they will make some noise at the upcoming MAAC Championships." – head coach Vilis Ozols
 
Up Next
  • Niagara will play in the 2017 MAAC Tournament Semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. against the winner of the No. 3 vs. No. 6 seed match.
 
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. 
 
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