Newark, DE—The Niagara Volleyball team closed out their opening weekend against Robert Morris on Sunday. Despite winning the open set, Niagara fell in four sets to the Colonials, 22-25, 25-14, 25-18, 25-18.
First Set
Robert Morris opened the match on a three point run but the Purple Eagles tied the game at three. Each team traded runs in the opening set and the teams were tied at 21 after 42 points. Niagara had the serve and went on a 4-1 run which was finished off by freshman Payton Lee winning the set with a kill.
Niagara had four blocks in the opening set with Laryssa Imbuzeiro having a set high three block assists. Lee and Cassie Seminoff each had two block assists while Megan Bruno had one block assist.
Jenna Vogen had four kills in the opening set which was tops for Niagara. Lee was second on the team with three kills while Seminoff and Kinga Wronska each had two kills.
Second Set
It was Niagara who opened the second set on a three point run. RMU responded and the set was tied at five after 10 points. Robert Morris won the set following a 20-9 after being tied at five early in the set.
Wronska had five kills which was tied for the most in the set among both teams. Lee had two kills in the set while Vogen and Imbuzeiro each had one kill in the set. Bella Peroni and Wronska each had four digs while Wronska had 14 receptions. Eight different players had digs in the set.
Third Set
Niagara and Robert Morris played back and forth to open the third set, after 22 points the teams were tied at 11. Following the tie, Robert Morris went on six point run and led 17-11. Niagara had three point run to make it 23-15 but the comeback effort came up short as they fell 25-18 in the third set.
Niagara had just five kills in the set with Wronska having two and Lexi Bapst, Lee, and Imbuzeiro each having one. Peroni once again led in the reception category with 10 receptions. Both Peroni and Kylie Blessing had five digs in the set.
Fourth Set
There were three lead changes in the fourth set while the score was tied four times. The first 10 points in the set were back and forth as the teams were tied at five after 10 points. Robert Morris then went on a 5-2 run and never looked back. Niagara went on a mini run at the end of the set but could not recover as they trailed by eight with the score being 22-14.
The Purple Eagles were once again held to just five kills in the fourth set, Lee had a team high two while Seminoff, Bapst, and Vogen each had one. Blessing had here assists along with one dig. Liana Tolleriver and Peroni each had seven receptions while Tolliver had four digs.
Niagara Notes
· Vogen was named to the All-Tournament Team, the junior had 15 kills over the three matches along with four digs and six block assists.
· Wronska had nine kills against Robert Morris along with seven digs and nine receptions. She had 22 kills through nine sets on the weekend, which led the team.
· Niagara had nine blocks in the match, Imbuzeiro had a team high seven block assists. Lee had three block assists while Bruno, Vogen, Bapst, and Seminoff each had two block assists. Niagara had 22 blocks on the weekend while opponents had just 18 blocks throughout the weekend.
· Four freshman played for the Purple Eagles with them combining for 24 sets played.
· Niagara is now 9-10 all-time against Robert Morris.
Up Next
The Purple Eagles are on the road next weekend as they travel to Lewisburg, Pa. to play in the Bucknell Invitational. Niagara will face Cornell on Friday at 4 PM, Princeton on Saturday at noon and William & Mary on Saturday at 5 PM.
