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Niagara University Athletics

0
Eastern Illinois EIU 2-2
3
Winner NIA NIA 1-3
Eastern Illinois EIU
2-2
0
Final
3
NIA NIA
1-3
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 F
Eastern Illinois EIU 22 21 21 (0)
NIA NIA 25 25 25 (3)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Niagara Sweeps Eastern Illinois At Pioneer Classic

DENVER – The Niagara University volleyball team earn its first win of the season with a 3-0 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers in its first match at the Pioneer Classic on Friday.  

SCORE: Niagara 3, Eastern Illinois 0 (25-22, 25-21, 25-21)
TOURNAMENT: Pioneer Classic
RECORDS: Niagara (1-3), Eastern Illinois (2-2)

Match Summary
The Purple Eagles had their match-high 16 kills in the first set and never trailed. NU raced out to a 6-2 lead, and then held off several pushes by EIU. With the score at 15-14, a Caroline Leitch kill sparked a 6-1 spurt and Nicole Matheis wrapped up the set with a kill.
 
Niagara again had a fast start to start a set, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. However, the Panthers answered back with a 10-3 run. Freshman Grace Hetterscheidt put Niagara back in front with a kill to give NU a 13-12 advantage and the Purple Eagles gradually pulled away for the 25-21 set win.
 
After falling behind 2-0, Niagara quickly gained the lead behind a strong service game by Jaycie Roberts en route to a 6-3 lead. Niagara led 14-10, which forced an EIU timeout, and the remaining of the set was played in a four-point window. Niagara sealed the win with an ace from Rylee Hunt.

Eagle's Eye On…
  • Niagara had season-highs in hitting percentage (.244), kills (44), assists (42) and digs (5).
  • Nicole Matheis had match-highs with 12 kills and 13.5 points, which are both season-highs for a Purple Eagle. Matheis is eight kills away from 1,000 for her career.
  • Rylee Hunt had a match-leading 21 digs.
  • Three Purple Eagles had 10-plus assists – Rachel Hall (14), Alexis Gray (13) and Meghan Higley (12).
  • Jaycie Roberts had 11 digs, Grace Hetterscheidt had seven kills and a .353 hitting percentage, and Draik Banks added six kills with a .600 hitting percentage.

Coach's Corner
 
  • "I was very happy with the team's play in the victory today. We played in character and when we play like we're able to, we can compete with almost anyone. Eastern Illinois was a tough opponent coming off a couple of very impressive wins and anything less than a great effort would have yielded a different result. I thought our offensive flow resulted from our defensive intensity. The setting resulting in a strong hitting percentage was the key to the victory." – head coach Vilis Ozols

Up Next
  • The Purple Eagles will play their final two matches at the Pioneer Classic on Saturday against Denver (11:30 a.m. MT) and UC Davis (3:30 pm MT).

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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