NIAGARA UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Niagara women’s volleyball team fell to Buffalo and North Dakota State in its first two matches of the Blue and White Classic on Friday.
Match 1: Niagara at Buffalo
SCORE: Buffalo 3, Niagara 0 (25-16, 25-15, 27-25)
Match Summary
- Buffalo (1-0) jumped out to a quick lead in the first set that left the Purple Eagles trailing, 12-5.
- Niagara (0-1) began to chip away at the Bulls’ lead. An attack error by UB, a kill from Mary Redl and a service ace from Jessica Streuer left NU trailing by only four points, 12-8. The Purple Eagles would come within three points of the Bulls later in the set, but Buffalo dominated late in the set, defeating NU, 25-16.
- Buffalo took advantage of Niagara errors in the second set and defeated the Purple Eagles 25-15 to take a 2-0 lead.
- Niagara’s strong offense and defense was on display during the third set. The set remained close, but the Purple Eagles went on a 5-0 scoring streak to take a 20-14 lead over the Bulls. The Bulls answered with a 5-0 run of their own and trailed NU by only one point, 20-19.
- Niagara got back ahead of Buffalo, taking a 24-21 lead, but the Bulls came back to tie things up, 24-24. A kill from Cameron Maris put NU back ahead, 25-24, but the Bulls evened the score once again and would go on to take the next two points to win the set, 27-25, and sweep the match with the Purple Eagles, 3-0.
Inside the Numbers
- Caroline Leitch and Redl led the Purple Eagles with seven kills each. Maris added six kills. Redl had a team-high 8.0 points.
- Jaycie Roberts led the team in digs with 11.
- Grace Hetterscheidt recorded a team-high four block assists.
- In her debut with the Purple Eagles, Alex Paris recorded nine digs and five kills.
- Hetterscheidt, Emillie Wright and Streuer each had one service ace.
Match 2: Niagara vs. North Dakota State
SCORE: North Dakota State 3, Niagara 0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-19)
Match Summary
- The Purple Eagles (0-2) and the Bison (1-1) kept things close to begin the first set and the score was tied, 7-7, early on. NDSU, buoyed by a 7-0 run, began to pull away, taking a 17-8 lead over the Purple Eagles.
- NU took advantage of NDSU errors, clawing back within three points of the lead, 20-17, but the Bison held on to take the first set, 25-19.
- The Purple Eagles had the early advantage in the second set, taking a 12-9 lead over the Bison, but NDSU quickly came back to tie things up. The score was tied three more times in the second set, including a late 22-22 tie after a service ace from Hetterscheidt. The Bison, however, took the last three points to win the second set, 25-22.
- Strong rallies early in the third set once again kept things close between the Purple Eagles and the Bison, but NDSU began to pull away, taking a 10-point lead over Niagara, 20-10. Niagara battled on offense and defense, but the Bison swept the match, taking the third set, 25-19.
Inside the Numbers
- Roberts and Hetterscheidt led the team with eight kills each. Roberts had a team-high 11.0 points.
- Reva Blitz had a team-high 12 digs.
- Streuer and Mirna Kovacevic each recorded double-digit assists. Streuer had 16 assists and Kovacevic had 14.
Coach’s Corner
- “We did a lot of good things today and recognized a few areas where we can improve,” said head coach Donna Day. “We look forward to closing out the tournament tomorrow and continuing to grow and work as a team as the season goes on.”
Up Next
- Niagara plays its final game of the Blue and White Classic on Saturday, Aug. 25, facing Seton Hall at 10:00 a.m.
- The Purple Eagles compete in the Golden Flashes Classic, hosted by Kent State, Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Niagara takes on Morgan State on Aug. 31 at 5:00 p.m. and Fort Wayne (2:00 p.m.) and Kent State (7:00 p.m.) in Sept. 1.
