NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Niagara (3-7, 0-0 MAAC) won their first home game of the 2024 campaign against Mercyhurst (1-8, 0-0 NEC) in three straight sets, 25-13, 25-19, 25-23.
 
How it Happened
Both sides went back and forth in the first set until Niagara went on a 10-3 run to take a 17-9 lead. Laryssa Imbuzeiro and Victoria Latino each recorded two kills on the run while Schaefer recorded two service aces. The Purple Eagles then went on an 8-2 run to end set one 25-13. Mercyhurst would record three service aces, Latino recorded two kills, Imbuzeiro added one kill along with a service ace, followed by a Robinson kill to end set one.
 
The second set featured 10 ties, at 1-1, 2-2, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 12-12, 13-13, 14-14, and 15-15 until the Purple and White gained the edge late in the set en route to a 25-19 set win. Six different Purple Eagles recorded a kill and five would record a block.
 
Mercyhurst would take their largest lead of the match going on a 5-0 streak to start the third set. The Purple Eagles battled back to tie the set at 17-apiece piecing together runs of 4-0, 5-2, and 4-1 to even the score. The Purple and White would end the third set on an 8-2 streak, highlighted by Sydney Wilkes and Robinson would kills to finish off the sweep.
 
Niagara Notes
• Thursday marked Niagara's first meeting all-time with Mercyhurst.
• Robinson would record a team-high eight kills while five other Purple Eagles notched at least four kills.
• Niagara recorded a season-high eight service aces, led by a career-best three from Noel Perkins
• Perkins has recorded double-digit assist in nine consecutive matches.
• Three Purple Eagles recorded 10 or more digs, led by Bella Peroni's 17.
 
Up Next
The Purple Eagles travel to Le Moyne on Saturday, Sep. 21 for a 5:00 p.m. start.