Nov. 5, 2011
Final Stats
Niagara had won 33 straight matches against MAAC schools entering its showdown with Siena. Combined, the two schools have won the last six MAAC Championships, but for much of this season it appeared they were headed in opposite directions. Not any more. The Saints defeated the Purple Eagles on Monteagle Ridge Saturday, doing so with shocking ease in a 3-0 (25-23, 25-21 and 25-20) sweep that sent chills through the spines of coaches around the league: Siena volleyball is back.
It was Siena that last defeated Niagara - a 3-1 victory in Loudonville on September 19, 2010. Since that point, the Purple Eagles have ripped through the conference, winning their second straight league title last year at Disney, and their first 14 league contests this year.
Siena completed its resounding resurgence Saturday behind sensational sophomore Taylor Akana's match-high 14 kills and Hawaiian teammate Lesli Akeo's match-high 22 digs. Without a senior on this year's roster, it's clear the Siena program will be a force to reckon with for the foreseeable future.
The Saints got the job done with their trademark aggressive serving and stout defense. Siena was in complete control throughout, trailing just once all afternoon once a set reached double digits.
Akana completed her 14th double-double with 13 digs. Junior Liz Ives played the best match of her career on the right side, tallying seven kills, 13 digs and two aces. Ives' adjustment to her new role has been critical to Siena's late-season charge.
Colleen Ahearn continues to emerge as one of the MAAC's best middles, killing half of her 16 kills for a match-best .438 attack percentage.
Niagara was led by Hannah Hedric's nine kills and libero Sam Morgan's 20 digs.
The win was huge for Siena's MAAC Tournament chances, as the Saints held onto third in the league, and gained a crucial tiebreaker edge. The team looks for its eight straight triumph in a classic trap match Sunday at experienced Canisius.
