NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, NY – Niagara (5-7, 1-0 MAAC) won its MAAC opener against Marist (0-11, 0-1 MAAC) in four sets 25-20, 16-25, 25-23, 25-13, Saturday afternoon inside the Gallagher Center.
 
How it Happened
Set one consisted of back-and-forth play, with no team taking a higher lead than two ahead of the media timeout. The set could conclude on a 7-3 Niagara run, with three service aces from junior Kylie Blessing. Sydney Wilkes, Laryssa Imbuzeiro, and Liana Tolliver all had kills during the run to put away the Red Foxes 25-20 in the opening set.
 
Set two had the Purple Eagles jumping out to a 4-2 lead until Marist chipped their way back into the game taking their first lead of the match at 11-10. The Red Foxes would go on a 13-4 streak to take the set by a 25-16 final over NU.
 
Niagara started set three doubling Marist's score 12-6, followed by a 10-3 run by the Red Foxes that gave them a 19-18 lead. The Purple Eagles responeded with a 7-4 spurt highlighted by Imbuzeiro, Payton Lee, and Tolliver all recording one kill while Kinga Wronska tallied two to take set three 25-23.
 
Set four was all Niagara's where a 13-3 run opened a 20-9 lead for the Purple and White. Niagara would hold Marist to three points for the remainder of the set, coasting to a 25-12 set win and the match victory.
 
Niagara Notes
• This is the 52nd meeting between Niagara and Marist with Niagara holding a 29-23 record over the Red Foxes.
• With a team-high 17 digs against the Red Foxes, Bella Peroni is nine away from 1,000 for her career.
• Blessing sets a new career high with four service aces.
• Paisley Ka'ahanui recorded a season high in digs and assists, with four and 12, respectively.
• Wronska recorded her second double-double of the season with 13 kills and 10 digs.  
 
Up Next
The Purple Eagles take on the Siena Saints on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1:00 p.m. on ESPN+.