Niagara University, N.Y.—The Niagara volleyball team earned their second MAAC win of the season on Sunday afternoon at the Gallagher Center. Niagara notched a 3-1 win over the Manhattan Jaspers.

First Set

Niagara opened the match on a 6-1 run and never looked back in the opening set. The set was tied just once as the score was 1-1. Niagara extended their lead throughout the set and limited the Jaspers to just 13 points in the opening set. The Purple Eagles allowed just five kills in the opening set from the Jaspers as they had a -.156 hitting percentage.

The Purple Eagles had 13 kills in the opening set with six Purple Eagles notching a kill. Kinga Wronska and Cassie Seminoff each had three kills in the first set. Janiah Robinson, Jenna Vogen, and Laryssa Imbuzeiro all had two kills while Lexi Bapst added one kill. Niagara had five blocks in the opening set with Robinson and Imbuzeiro each having one solo block. Imbuzeiro also had two block assists while Bapst, Vogen, Robinson, and Wronska all had one block assist. Bapst led the way with six digs while Bella Peroni had five. As a team Niagara hit .478 in the opening set.

Second Set

The second set was much different than the opening set of the match as there were five lead changes and the score was tied 10 different times. Niagara took an early 3-0 lead but the match was then tied at seven after 14 points. The two teams continued to trade points and the lead kept changing hands in the set. Niagara trailed 20-16 and then took four of the next five points to make it 21-20 Manhattan. Niagara's comeback came up short as the Jaspers took the set 25-22 to tie the match at one.

Seminoff had a team high five kills in the set as Niagara hit .333 as a team. Both Bapst and Wronska had four kills. Robinson notched two kills on three attempts in the set. Paisley Ka'ahanui had a team high nine assists in the set while Kylie Blessing added four assists.  Five different Purple Eagles had digs in the set with Bapst leading the team with five digs. Seminoff and Imbuzeiro combined for the lone Purple Eagle block in the set.

Third Set

After dropping the second set, the Purple Eagles took the third set and took the lead back. Niagara took the opening point after head coach Ren Cefra challenged a Manhattan kill, the challenge was successful, and the Purple Eagles never looked back. Niagara took an early 9-4 lead and never trailed in the set, the score was never tied in the set. The Purple Eagles held a 10+ point lead 12 different times in the set as they took the third set 25-12.

Niagara had three blocks in the set as Robinson and Wronska both had solo blocks, Seminoff and Imbuzeiro also combined for a block. Seminoff led the way in the kill category as she had five in the set. Both Vogen and Imbuzeiro had two kills while Bapst and Wronska each had one in the set. Ka'ahanui had a set high seven assists while Blessing also had four assists. Niagara once again hit .333 in the set. The Purple Eagles had three aces in the set with Peroni having two and Bapst accounting for one.

Fourth Set

The two teams entered the fourth set by trading points until it was 9-9. Niagara went on a 5-0 run and took a 14-9 lead. With the score 17-11 in favor of Niagara, the Jaspers went on a run of their own as they tied the score at 17. That would be the last time the set would be tied as Niagara took eight of the next 13 points and won the fourth set 25-22.

Niagara had just nine kills in the fourth set but used six total blocks to take the set. Both Vogen and Robinson had four block assists while Seminoff and Imbuzeiro both had two block assists. Imbuzeiro had a team high three kills while Bapst, Vogen, and Wronska each had two kills. Peroni had a set high 10 receptions while Bapst also had seven.

Niagara Notes

·       Niagara had a season high 15 blocks with both Imbuzeiro and Robinson having seven total blocks. The 15 blocks is the second highest in a match this season in the MAAC and tied for the most in a four set match.

·       It is the first time since Oct. 9-10, 2022 that Niagara notched back-to-back wins at the Gallagher Center. Niagara is 3-1 this season at home.

·       The Purple Eagles had 10 aces in the win with Peroni having four and Bapst and Imbuzeiro each having three. Peroni's four aces is a new career high for a match while Bapst tied her career high that was set on Sept. 2, 2023, against Princeton.

·       Seminoff had 13 kills which led the team. She finished with 28 kills on the weekend. 

·       It is the first time since Nov. 16, 2019, that Niagara registered 15 or more blocks. The Purple Eagles tallied 15 or more blocks twice in 2019, both against Quinnipiac.

·       Niagara is now 28-26 all-time against Manhattan. They have won nine of the last 10 that includes four straight matches. They have won nine straight games against Manhattan at the Gallagher Center.

Up Next

The Purple Eagles renew the Battle of the Bridge rivalry as they take on Canisius next Saturday and Sunday. The Purple Eagles fly south on Saturday to take on the Griffs on the road before returning to the nest on Sunday to host Canisius. Saturday's match is scheduled for a 12 PM start while Sunday's is slated for 1 PM.

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