NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – The Niagara Purple Eagles overcame a third-set setback to defeat Saint Peter’s 3-1 (25-12, 25-23, 21-25, 25-22) at the Gallagher Center.
The victory improved Niagara’s record to 7-0 and 7-1 in MAAC play.
Set One
Saint Peter’s recorded the first point of the match, but sparked by a kill from Liana Tolliver the Purple Eagles went on a 4-0 run to take a 4-1 lead.
Noel Perkins subbed into the came, and immediately connected with Sydney Wilkes for multiple kills to push the lead to 11-5.
The Purple Eagles reeled off a 10-2 run, with Tolliver serving during a stretch where Niagara surged from 10-10 to 22-11 with two kills from Wronska and one from Payton Lee.
Payton Lee contributed three kills in the opening frame, while Wronska added five to lead all players as Niagara secured the opener 25-12.
Set Two
Saint Peter’s jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Niagara battled back. The Purple Eagles once again went on a run with Tolliver at the service line, as Niagara built a 6-2 advantage with kills from Wronska and Tolliver.
The second set featured seven ties and five lead changes in a back-and-forth battle that saw both teams trade momentum. Saint Peter’s went on a serving run that gave the visitors a 15-13 lead..
Wilkes delivered four crucial kills in the set to make it a 21-20 lead for the Purple and White.
Saint Peter’s gained a 23-22 lead but a kill from Lee knotted the set up before a pair of attack errors from the Peacocks allowed Niagara to take set two 25-23.
Niagara hit .286 in the set compared to .194 for the visitors with Wronska recording six kills to lead the team.
Set Three
The entire third set was back and forth, featuring 13 ties and constant lead changes as neither team could establish separation.
Saint Peter’s went on a three point run to take a 16-13 advantage, but a trio of attack errors from the Peacocks drew the game level at 16.
The Peacocks put together three straight points of their own to regain a 21- 18 lead and eventually force a fourth set coming out victorious 25-21.
Set Four
The Purple Eagles raced out to an 8-0 lead, with Kylie Blessing serving throughout the entire run. Lee recorded two kills while Tolliver added two more forcing the Peacocks to call a timeout.
Niagara maintained firm control, expanding their lead to 14-5 with kills from Janiah Robinson and Taylor Jenkins along with an ace from Tolliver.
Saint Peter’s mounted a valiant comeback attempt scoring eight of nine points towards the end of the game. Katie Jacobs solidified the match for the Purple Eagles recording her first kill of the match.
Game Notes
Niagara is now 39-20 all-time against the Peacocks
Wronska led the Purple Eagles with 16 kills on way to another double double
Mia Schaefer recorded a match-high 23 digs
Robinson added to her team lead in blocks with seven in the victory.
Up Next
Niagara continues conference play Oct. 18 against Rider at 3 pm inside the Gallagher Center.
Courtesy of Niagara University Athletics.
