Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara volleyball team notched its first MAAC win of the season Saturday afternoon at the Gallagher Center. The Purple Eagles defeated the Iona Gaels in four sets.

First Set

The Purple Eagles came out of the gate in the opening set and took an 8-4 lead in a set that would see seven lead changes and eight times the set was tied. Despite taking the early lead, Iona tied the set at 14 with both teams trading points until the set was eventually tied at 21. Iona closed out the opening set on a 4-2 run to take the opening set.

Niagara had 16 kills as a team in the opening set which was led by Kinga Wronska's five kills. Cassie Seminoff had four kills, Laryssa Imbuzeiro notched three, Lexi Bapst had two, while Jenna Vogen and Janiah Robinson each had one kill. Four Purple Eagles registered assists with Paisley Ka'ahanui leading the charge with nine. Kylie Blessing had four while Wronska had two and Vogen tallied one. Both Vogen and Imbuzeiro also had solo blocks in the set.

Second Set

Iona jumped out to a 10-6 lead in the second set and held the lead for the first 37 points of the set. With the score 10-8 Iona, Iona challenged a potential tipped ball but the challenge was unsuccessful. Following the challenge, Niagara went on a 12-9 run and took their first lead of the match 20-19. Following an Iona timeout, Niagara closed out the set on a 5-2 run and tied the match at one set each.

Six different Purple Eagles had a kill in the second set while seven had points in the set. Imbuzeiro had a set high 6.5 points as she had three kills, two aces, one solo block, and one block assist. Robinson also had three kills in the set. Seminoff, Wronska, and Bapst all had two kills in the set. Ka'ahanui had a team high six assists while Blessing had three, Bella Peroni also had an assist.

Third Set

Just like the first two sets the third set was a close set that was decided by just three points. Iona jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but Niagara quickly tied the match at five. After trading a few points, Niagara took a 9-7 lead and would hold the lead for the rest of the set. Niagara finished the set with a 25-22 win.

Niagara had 14 kills in the third set with four Purple Eagles having kills. Both Wronska and Seminoff had four kills while Vogen and Bapst both had three kills. The Purple Eagles also had three blocks in the set with Robinson having one solo block. Imbuzeiro had two block assists while Bapst and Vogen both had an assist. Bapst also had a set high 12 receptions in the set.

Fourth Set

With the match on the line in the fourth set the two team traded points until Niagara took a 10-8 lead after 18 points. Niagara bult their lead to four on multiple occasions which was the largest lead the held in the set. Following the early lead, the closest Iona would get to tying the match was at the 15-14 mark. Niagara closed the match with a 25-21 win in the fourth set.

The Purple Eagles once again had 14 kills in the fourth set with six Purple Eagles having a kill. Seminoff used her fifth kill of the set to close the match, her five kills was the team high. Vogen had three kills, Wronska and Imbuzeiro each had two kills while Bapst and Robinson each had one kill. Niagara had two aces in the set with Bapst and Ka'ahanui each tallying one. Both Blessing and Ka'ahanui had six assists while Peroni also notched one assist.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara moves to 32-24 all-time against Iona dating back to 1991. The Purple Eagles are 6-2 in their last eight matches against the Gaels. It is the first time since Oct. 28, 2017, that Niagara has won in four sets.

·       The Purple Eagles notched their first MAAC win of the season and are now 1-2 in MAAC play.

·       Niagara is 2-1 this season at the Gallagher Center.

·       Seminoff had a team high 15 kills which is the most among all Purple Eagles in a match this season. Her .306 hitting percentage is the second best in a match this season.

·       Wronksa had a season high 50 attempts in the match while having 13 kills. She leads the Purple Eagles with 87 kills this season.

·       Imbuzeiro and Seminoff each had 15.5 points which are season highs for the Purple Eagles.

·       Ka'ahanui had a career high 25 assists which is the most among Purple Eagles this season.

·       Peroni notched a season high 28 digs which is one short of her career high of 29 that was set on Oct. 16, 2022 against Marist. She leads the Purple Eagles with 139 digs this season.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles go for the weekend sweep on Sunday afternoon as they face Manhattan at 1 PM at the Gallagher Center.

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