Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara volleyball team started their four-match home stand on a high note as they defeated the Siena Saints in three sets to open the weekend.

First Set

There was a feeling-out process to open the match as neither team could gain much of an advantage as there were four lead changes and nine different times that the set was tied. After 20 points the teams were tied at 10. Niagara went on small run ahead of the media timeout and held a 15-14 lead at the media timeout. With the score 18-16, Siena challenged a call and were unsuccessful, following the challenge Niagara took six of the next 10 points and secured the opening set win 25-20.

The Purple Eagles accounted for 15 points in the first set, Jenna Vogen had a set high four points in the first set as she had four kills to lead Niagara along with a block assist. Six Purple Eagles had kills in the set with Cassie Seminoff, Janiah Robinson, and Laryssa Imbuzeiro all having two kills. As a team Niagara hit .258 in the first set with just four attack errors. Kylie Blessing started as the setter and had seven assists with Casey Brown having four off of the bench. Niagara had two aces to start the match as Brown and Lexi Bapst each had one.

Second Set

There was just one lead change and one time that the score was tied in the second set. Siena took a 1-0 lead to start the set; Niagara then went one a 6-0 run to take an early 6-1 lead. Niagara never looked back and led for the rest of the set. Siena came within three points on multiple occasions but could not even the set as Niagara took the set 25-19 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

Niagara had 16 kills in the second set and had 22 points in the set with eight points coming from Bapst, all on kills. Vogen and Payton Lee had two kills while Seminoff, Imbuzeiro, Janiah Robinson, and Brown all had one kill. Seven different Purple Eagles had an assist in the set, Blessing had six to lead the team, Brown had three and Bella Peroni, Vogen, Imbuzeiro, Seminoff, and Lee all had one assist in the set. Niagara also had four blocks, Vogen assisted on all four while Imbuzeiro had three block assists and Robinson had one block assist.

Third Set

Looking for the sweep in the third set, Nigara jumped out to a 10-5 lead in the third set. Niagara never looked back and continued to build the lead. The five point deficit was the closest that the Saints would get as Niagara ended the set and the match with a 10 point lead 25-15.

The Purple Eagles closed the match with a .407 hitting percentage with 12 kills on 27 attempts with just one being an attack error. Bapst had a set high four kills as six Purple Eagles had kills. Vogen had three while Imbuzeiro had two, Robinson, Seminoff, and Lee all added one kill in the third set. Blessing once again had a team high in assists with seven, Peroni and Brown both had two assists. Niagara had two blocks with Robinson having one solo while Vogen and Imbuzeiro teamed up for one.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara moves to 7-10 on the season and 6-3 in MAAC play, last season Niagara had seven wins in MAAC play and 10 wins on the season.

·       The Purple Eagles are 5-1 this season at the Gallagher Center and a perfect 4-0 in MAAC play at home.

·       Niagara has won six of their last seven matches, all of which have been MAAC matchups.

·       The Purple Eagles hit .275 against the Saints, it is the third time this season that they have hit over .250, it is the second straight match that Niagara has hit .250+.

·       Bapst had 13 kills in the match and was one dig away from her third double-double of the season. The senior also set a new career high with four aces in the match. It was her sixth match this season with double digit kills.

·       Blessing had a match high 20 assists, it is her third match this season with 20 or more assists and her sixth with 15+ assists.

·       Both  Imbuzeiro and Vogen had five total blocks to lead the team.

·       Niagara is 6-0 this season when they have more digs, kills, and assists then their opponents.

·       It is the fourth sweep for the Purple Eagles this season.

Up Next

Niagara hosts Marist who currently sits atop the MAAC standings with a 9-1 MAAC record on Sunday at 1 PM at the Gallagher Center.

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