SCORE: Niagara 3, Marist 2 (25-22, 22-25, 22-25, 25-16, 15-2)
RECORDS: Niagara (7-5, 3-0 MAAC), Marist (4-9, 1-1 MAAC)
 
NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – Trailing through three sets of play, the Niagara Purple Eagles came back to defeat the Marist Red Foxes, 3-2, to open play on their home court and extend their winning streak to six matches on Saturday.

Match Summary
Niagara never gave up through all five sets of play as it defeated Marist for the first time since 2014. After the Purple Eagles won the first set, Marist took the next two, leading 2-1, before Niagara powered through to win the next two sets to clinch the match.
 
In the first set, Niagara came away win a win, 25-22.  Leading by a set-high five points, the Purple Eagles took a 15-10 lead early in the set. Marist then went on a 10-4 run of its own to take the lead, 20-19. The Purple Eagles did not quit; however, as Niagara was able to end the set on a 6-2 run to finish with a win.
 
NU found itself down early in the second set, trailing by 11-7. The Purple Eagles, then, won five of the next six points out of the timeout to tie the score at 12-12. Down 18-17 late, Draik Banks notched a kill from Megan Higley to tie the score again, 18-18. The Red Foxes however proved to be too much in the set, winning seven of the next 11 points to win the set and tie the match, 1-1.
 
After splitting the first two sets, Niagara and Marist split the first six points of the third set, with the score tied at 3-3. Marist was in control after that, leading by as many as seven point before winning the set, giving the Red Foxes a 2-1 set lead heading into the fourth set.
 
After being tied at 5 after the first ten points, Niagara started to take control of the fourth set. The Purple Eagles went on a 8-2 run, headlined by Caroline Leitch, who recorded two kills and a block in that stretch, and Alexis Gray, who had three assists in that span. Niagara won the last five points of the set, including two kills courtesy of Jaycie Roberts, to win the set, 25-16, and force the match into a fifth and final set.
 
Niagara completely controlled the deciding set, leading 14-1 before winning the set, 15-2. Nicole Matheis recorded five kills in the final set, and Rylee Hunt recorded four digs, giving Niagara its sixth straight victory and a win in its first home match of the season.
 
Eagle's Eye On…

• Niagara's six-match win streak is its longest since the 2012 season.
• The Purple Eagles are 3-0 in MAAC play 3-0 for the first time since 2011.
• Nicole Matheis had a team-high 14 kills and had seven digs.
• Rachel Hall recorded her third double-double of the season, leading the team in assists with 18 and finishing second on the team with 14 digs.
• Rylee Hunt ended with a team-leading 23 digs, while also tying her season-high in assists with eight.
• Jada Carroll had 12 kills for the second consecutive match.
• Alexis Gray finished with a season-high 16 assists.
• Jaycie Roberts had 11 digs and seven kills.
• Niagara had a season-high 12 blocks with Jada Carrol providing three block solos and five block assists, and Draik Banks with six block assists and one block solo.

Coach's Corner

• "Our team showed great poise in the comeback victory. Our execution and intensity magnified to suit the situation when we were down 2-1. It was a very good match from an emotional maturity standpoint that showed our team that they could pick up their game when the chips were down." – head coach Vilis Ozols

Up Next

• Niagara continues its weekend on Sunday when the Purple Eagles host the Siena Saints in the Gallagher Center at 1 p.m.

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