Sept. 20, 2014 Final Stats
Junior
Meghann Wright registered a career-high 27 kills, including the emphatic game-winner as Siena rallied to defeat Niagara in five sets (17-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-18 and 15-13) in the MAAC-opener for both schools Saturday in Loudonville.
Wright rose up on the outside with Siena (3-9, 1-0) leading 14-13 and crushed the winning kill off the face of Niagara's (4-7, 0-1) back row defender. The finish capped off a tight match that the Saints trailed 2-1 before rallying to win the final two sets.
Siena relied on its serving, defense and outside attack with Niagara focused on closing off the middle for preseason All-MAAC pick Jacqueline Skeen. Wright joined three of her teammates with double figures digs, rounding out a huge double-double with 15. Libero Briana Flagg had 19 digs, and senior captain Rachel Stoklosa played a solid match with 13 kills and 15 digs on the outside.
The Saints turned to sophomore Bobbi Lin Kalama to take over the setting duties in the fourth set and Kalama handed out 10 assists to go along with eight digs and two kills. Starting setter Haley Howell had 36 assists and 13 digs in the first three sets.
Wright also was the catalyst to Siena's efficient service. She had three of the team's six aces, and the Saints had just two serving errors in the five set match, compared to 11 for Niagara.
The new-look Purple Eagles got great play from their freshmen class. Setter Alexis Gray led all players with 49 assists and four aces, playing a phenomenal match in her conference debut. Classmate Nicole Matheis tied for a team-high with 15 kills in the middle and added three blocks. Junior Melissa McGwin was a part of seven of Niagara's 14 blocks.
Niagara had complete command in a 25-17 win in the first set, but the Saints bounced back with a tight 25-22 win to even things at intermission. Niagara won a close 25-22 decision in the third, and then Siena jumped out to an 8-2 lead on its way to a 25-18 win in the fourth. Siena led throughout most of the final set, but nearly let a 14-10 lead slip away had it not been for Wright.
The Saints look to run their win streak to three matches Sunday at 1 p.m. against Canisius in a match that will be webstreamed at SienaAllAccess.com here in Loudonville.
