Nov. 6, 2010
Final Stats
The Siena volleyball team gave MAAC regular-season champ Niagara all it could handle on the road today before succumbing in five sets (26-24, 25-13, 20-25, 28-26 and 15-7). The effort could spark the Saints as they prepare for MAAC Tournament play which begins at ESPN's Wide World of Sports Complex in less than two weeks.
Freshman Taylor Akana had 24 kills and 24 digs, emerging as the top player on the court. Akana helped Siena (6-19/5-10) rally from an early 2-0 deficit to take sets three and four and force a decisive fifth set.
Niagara (20-8/15-1) avenged its only MAAC loss of the season which came at Siena back in September. Hannah Hedrick and Amanda Wilken led the Purple Eagles with 17 and 15 kills respectably.
Siena stayed close with stellar defense. In addition to Akana, libero Lesli Akeo registered 25 digs as the Saints out-dug the Purple Eagles 96-78.
Through 16 league matches, Siena has given runaway conference leader Niagara the most trouble by far. It's an important point considering if the Tournament started today, the Saints would be the No. 8 seed and stand just one victory away from a quarterfinal match with the Purple Eagles.
Siena is also clearly a better team since the return of senior outside hitter Aubrey Bobo five matches ago. Bobo had 13 kills and 14 digs Saturday in defeat.
The Saints play their final road game of the season at Canisius Sunday.
