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Niagara University Athletics

Hunt
3
Winner Iona ION 16-17
0
Niagara NIA 18-10
Winner
Iona ION
16-17
3
Final
0
Niagara NIA
18-10
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Iona ION 25 25 26 (3)
Niagara NIA 23 18 24 (0)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Volleyball’s Season Ends In MAAC Semis

MAAC Tournament Semifinals
SCORE: No. 3 Iona 3, No. 2 Niagara 0 (25-23, 25-18, 26-24)
RECORDS: Iona (16-17), Niagara (18-10)

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The No. 2 seed Niagara Purple Eagles had one of their most successful seasons in program history come to an end in the 2017 MAAC Tournament Semifinals with a straight set defeat to third-seeded Iona on Saturday.

Match Summary
Saturday's match between Niagara and Iona was the sixth encounter in the conference tournament. Niagara won the last two meetings, including the 2010 MAAC Final. Saturday's meeting was also the rubber match between the programs as both teams won on their home court during the regular season.

The Gaels led for most of the first set until Niagara took a 19-18 lead on a Jada Carrol kill after a 6-2 spurt by the Purple Eagles. NU held a 22-20 advantage after an ace by Emilie Wright and led 23-22, but the Gaels closed the set with three straight points.

Iona never trailed in the second set, jumping out to a 7-1 lead. NU used a 9-3 run to cut Iona's lead to 19-17, but the Gaels finished the set on a 6-1 run.

Iona got off to another quick start to open the third set, but Niagara responded well. Three straight points by the Purple Eagles gave them a 12-9 lead, which forced an Iona timeout. After the Gaels tied the set at 13-13, neither team led by more than two points as the teams exchanged points and ties. With Iona serving for the match at 24-23, NU got a timely kill by Madison May. However, back-to-back kills from Iona clinched the match for the Gaels.
 
Eagle's Eye On…
  • Rylee Hunt had a match-high 18 digs.
  • Madison May led NU with nine kills on a team-best .471 hitting percentage.
  • Jaycie Roberts added 10 digs.
  • Rachel Hall had a team-high 15 assists.
  • Caroline Leitch had eight kills.
 
Inside The Numbers
  • It was the final match for five seniors – Alexis Gray, Meghan Highley, Rylee Hunt, Madison May, and Nicole Matheis.
  • Rylee Hunt, a three-time MAAC Libero of the Year, finishes her career with 2,311 digs for second most in program history. Her 6.17 digs per set this season are the second most in MAAC history, and her 648 digs are second most in program history.
  • Nicole Matheis concludes her career fifth in kills (1,238), second in attacks (4,214), seventh in digs (1,289), and third in aces (140).
  • Alexis Gray is the career leader in aces (164) and is second all-time in assists (3,383).
  • Niagara's 18 wins are the fourth most in program history and its win percentage (.642) is also fourth best in program history.
 
Coach's Corner
  • "Iona flat out beat up on us tonight. They executed really well, and we were on our heels the entire evening. It was a great season for our program and it's so tough for the seniors to be done with their careers with this match. The entire team has so much to be proud of." – head coach Vilis Ozols

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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