Oct. 4, 2009
Box Score
NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. - The Marist volleyball team hit only .129 Sunday in a 3-0 (16-25, 12-25, 21-25) sweep by Niagara at the Gallagher Center. Emily Brosky (Whitehall, Pa.) led all players with 17 digs. Marist is now 9-8 on the season, 3-3 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Niagara (11-6, 4-2 MAAC) jumped out to a quick 4-2 lead in the first set, getting two Hannah Hedrick kills along the way. The Purple Eagles grew the lead to four at 12-8 on a block by Kathy Bibler and Michelle James and a Hedrick service ace. Marist got back within two at 12-10 on a block by Alexandra Schultze (Austin, Texas). After a Lindsey Schmid (Austin, Texas) kill made the score 15-12, Niagara went on an 8-0 run highlighted by three consecutive Amanda Wilken kills to take a 23-13 lead. The Purple Eagles won the set 25-16 on a James kill.
The Purple Eagles dominated the second set, hitting .429 to Marist's .045 to win it 25-12. A late 6-0 run for Niagara clinched the set for the Purple Eagles. The two teams played to a 2-2 tie early in the third set. Niagara broke the set open with a six point run off of Hedrick's serve to take an 8-2 lead. Marist battled back and got within three at 15-12 on a Schmid kill, and within two at 18-16 on a Burton kill. Trailing 19-16, the Red Foxes went on a four point run highlighted by a block by Schmid and Leeann Harridsleff (Simi Valley, Calif.) to take a 20-19 lead. Niagara tied the set at 20-20 on a Marist error and took the lead on a Hedrick kill. Marist tied the set at 21-21 on a Harridsleff kill. The Purple Eagles then took the last four points of the set to win it 25-21 and the match 3-0.
Niagara outhit Marist .273-.129 for the match and held a 5-3 edge in blocks. The Purple Eagles also held a 44-40 advantage in digs. Hedrick led all players with 18 kills, hitting .533 with 10 digs and five service aces. Libero Sam Morgan led Niagara with 12 digs.
Marist returns to Poughkeepsie for a match against Manhattan on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at the McCann Center.
