Niagara University, NY - In a dramatic comeback performance, Niagara volleyball (13-14, 13-6 MAAC) overcame a two-set deficit to defeat the visiting Merrimack Warriors (9-19, 7-12 MAAC) Saturday afternoon inside the Gallagher Center during Senior Day.

Set One

Merrimack came out hot, gaining a 4-0 lead to begin the contest. Kinga Wronska and Payton Lee both recorded kills to make it a 6-4 game.

The Warriors built leads of 12-6 and 17-9, but Niagara refused to fold. A pivotal serving run by Lizzie Kraft sparked a 7-0 Purple Eagles comeback attempt, with Kinga Wronska recording a kill to make it a 17-16 game.

The teams traded points down the stretch, with the set knotted at 23-23 after a Sydney Wilkes kill. However, Merrimack was able to close out the frame 25-23, giving the Warriors a 1-0 match advantage.

Set Two

Teams traded points back and forth to begin the second set with the Purple Eagles being able to get out to a four point lead behind kills from Janiah Robinson and an ace from Kylie Blessing to lead 12-8.

Niagara extended their lead to 16-12 but the Warriors scored 13 of the final 15 points, including a 9-0 run to take set two 25-17.

Set Three

Once again the teams traded points to begin the set but a four point run for the Purple Eagles sparked by two kills from Robinson gave Niagara a 10-4 lead.

Mia Schaefer delivered three consecutive service points, including an ace, as part of a crucial 13-7 run to close out the third set and force a fourth set.

The Warriors attempted a comeback at the end of the set, but a kill from Robinson put the bow on it 25-16 Purple Eagles.

Set Four

For the third set in a row the teams traded points back and forth to begin the set and once again the Purple Eagles went on a run this time led by Robinson and Lee to garner a 13-8 advantage.

Another four point run by Niagara behind kills from Sydney Wilkes and Liana Tolliver grew the Purple Eagles' lead to 19-13.

Niagara scored six of the final seven points of the set with kills from Wilkes and Tolliver to take the set 25-18 and force a final fifth set.

Set Five

Niagara completely dominated the fifth set, scoring the first four points and extending that lead to 8-2 before the teams switched sides.

Wronska recorded five kills to begin the game, while Tolliver joined in with one of her own.

Out of the side switch the Purple Eagles didn't slow down scoring seven of the last eight points.

Game Notes

Niagara is now 3-1 all-time against Merrimack

Four Purple Eagles recorded double-digit kills, Tolliver (20), Robinson (16), Wilkes (13) and Wronska (13)

Robinson led the Purple and White with a .652 hitting percentage and three blocks

Tolliver matched a career-high with her 20 kills in the victory

Schaefer recorded a career-high 33 digs in the contest

Up Next

Niagara heads to the postseason to take on Battle of the Bridge rival Canisius in the first round of the MAAC Championship Tuesday November 18 at 6 pm inside the Gallagher Center