THIBODAUX, La. – The Niagara women's volleyball team opened the season at the Colonel Classic on Friday defeating Southern University, 3-1 (25-18, 25-23, 25-23, 25-18), and falling to Nicholls State, 3-0 (25-14. 25-21, 25-21).
Match 1 Recap
First Set
- The Purple Eagles and Southern traded points to open the set. With Southern ahead, 5-3, NU went on a 5-0 run, including two kills from Allie Simpson, two kills from Cassie Seminoff and an ace from Jaycie Roberts to take the lead, 8-5.
- Ahead by one, 12-11, the Purple Eagles scored three straight points, capped by kills from Roberts and Jessica Streuer, to extend their lead, 15-11.
- Once again ahead by one, 17-16, the Purple Eagles went on a 7-0 run, which included two aces from Simpson, to take a 24-16 lead over Southern.
- NU allowed Southern just two more points and won the first set, 25-18.
Second Set
- The Purple Eagles trailed by one point, 8-7, early in the set before scoring four straight points to take the lead, 11-8.
- Midway through the set, the Purple Eagles and Southern were tied, 16-16, and traded points.
- The teams were tied again, 20-20, nut NU got ahead, 22-20, after a Southern service error and a kill from Mary Redl.
- Niagara held on to win the set, 25-23.
Third Set
- The Purple Eagles and Southern were tied nine times early in set three.
- Trailing by one, 16-15, back-to-back kills from Jenna Vogen put NU ahead, 17-16.
- Southern took a 20-18 lead, but kills from Roberts and Vogen tied the score, 20-20.
- The teams traded point but Southern went on to win the set, 25-23.
Fourth Set
- Niagara took a quick lead in the fourth set, going on a 7-2 run.
- Ahead by four, 12-8, kills from Roberts and Lexi Bapst extended the NU lead, 14-8.
- The Purple Eagles dominated the remainder of the set, winning 25-18 to earn the 3-1 match victory.
Eagle's Eye On
- Roberts recorded a double-double with a team-high 17 kills and 20 digs. Roberts also had a team-high three service aces.
- Redl and Streuer also recorded double-doubles. Redl had 14 kills and 10 digs and Streuer had 12 digs and a team-high 24 assists.
- Taylor Allen led the team in blocking with five total blocks (one solo, four assists).
- Amanda Darling added 16 digs and Casey Brown had 18 assists.
Match 2 Recap
First Set
- Nicholls State jumped out to an early 14-6 lead over the Purple Eagles.
- A kill from Roberts halved the Nicholls score, 14-7.
- A kill from Allen kept NU within eight points, 19-11, but Nicholls scored four straight points to extend its lead, 23-11.
- The Purple Eagles went on a 3-0 run, including kills from Allen and Roberts, but Nicholls won the set, 25-14.
Second Set
- The Purple Eagles took a quick 8-6 lead in the second set, but Nicholls soon claimed the lead, 9-8.
- Niagara scored three straight points, capped by kills from Roberts, to get back ahead, 11-9.
- The teams traded points and tied things up. 16-16.
- Nicholls earned three straight points to tale the lead, 19-16, and did not relinquish it, winning set two, 25-21.
Third Set
- Niagara once again took the lead in the third set, getting ahead of Nicholls, 7-3.
- The Purple Eagles were ahead by two, 10-8, when Nicholls scored four points to take the lead, 12-10.
- The teams tied the score twice, but Nicholls got ahead once again, 19-16.
- A kill from Sammie Sabra and an ace from Streuer brought NU within one point of the lead, 20-19. Nicholls, however, held on to win the set, 25-21, and the match, 3-0.
Eagle's Eye On
- Roberts recorded her second double-double of the day with 10 digs and a team-high 14 kills.
- Streuer led the team in assists with 15 and Brown added 14 assists.
- Redl had seven kills and Darling had 12 digs.
Up Next
- The Purple Eagles close out play at the Colonel Classic with a match versus Texas Southern on Saturday, Aug. 28 at 10:00 a.m. ET.
Stay connected with Niagara Volleyball on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Niagara Athletics all year long on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and purpleeagles.com
