NIAGARA FALLS, New York – Despite strong performances from Sarah Austin and Nikki DeSerpa, the Red Foxes fell to Niagara in five sets. Marist sits at 11-10 overall and 8-3 in conference play.
 
Summary
The teams started even footed until Niagara used a 4-0 run to take a 10-6 lead, forcing a Marist timeout. Niagara would increase its lead throughout the set, capitalizing on four attack errors, two service errors and a ball handling error from Marist. The Purple Eagles took the first set 25-17.
 
Marist's offense started clicking in set two, rattling off four straight kills to take an early 5-0 lead. Niagara made it a one-point set at 9-8 but Marist took control of the set, extending the lead to 22-16 as the Purple Eagles took a timeout. Marist closed out the set with an ace from Taylor van der Biezen and kill from Megan Fergus to take the 25-16 set win.
 
Niagara took an early lead to start set four but the Red Foxes brushed it off and reclaimed the lead for the rest of the set. Nikki DeSerpa was the catalyst for the Red Foxes offense, finishing the set with nine kills and two service aces. Niagara made things interesting near the end as the got the serve with a 24-22 lead. But a kill from Stephanie Stone closed the door on any comeback attempt.
 
The Purple Eagles took control of the set early, taking a commanding lead at 18-8. But the Red Foxes chipped away at the lead and brought it to a one-point set off a block from Megan Fergus and Lauren Waide. Marist got the serve at 24-23, but a kill from Niagara's Grace Hetterscheidt sent the match to set five.
 
Niagara took an early 5-1 lead in set five and never looked back. Austin had a pair of kills to keep Marist in it late but the Red Foxes ultimately fell 15-7.
 
Notes

• Austin's 19 kills is a new career high while DeSerpa's 21 is a season high.
• DeSerpa led both teams in digs with 19.
• Marist edged Niagara on the majority of stats. Niagara had the advantage on service aces, landing eight to Marist's seven.

Up Next
The Red Foxes are back in action tomorrow against Canisius. The match will air on ESPN3 at 1 p.m.