LOUDONVILLE, NY – Sophomore Nicole Deobler had a breakout performance for the Siena Saints volleyball team on Saturday afternoon. On a day where pleasantries and hugs before the game turned to fierce competition, Deobler exploded for a 20 kill, 26 dig double-double. However, it would be the Niagara Purple Eagles coming out on top 3-1 to take the MAAC opener.

Deobler's performance tops the best performance of her career, setting career highs in each category. She would hit .381 for the match, which would fall third to fellow sophomore Jessica Eblin and freshman Abby Huffman. Huffman would collect 12 kills while hitting .409 while sophomore Dakota Jackson came in with 10 kills and 17 digs for a double-double herself. Eblin would toss out 48 assists and grab 15 digs for a double-double as well.

For Niagara (1-9, 1-0 MAAC), Alex Paris led the way with 14 kills. However, it would be Caroline Leitch who pumped in 11 kills on the match while hitting a match-high .733 on 15 attempts. Jaycie Roberts and Cameron Maris also collected double-digit kills, while Jessica Streuer tossed out 42 assists. Defensively, leading the way was Emillie Wright, who topped the Purple Eagles with 20 digs.

"That was a tough loss today, particularly since we showed sparks of playing well enough to win," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "Niagara did a great job of seizing the momentum and then it became hard to get it back."

The whole match pace was dictated in the first set, as either team gained a lead no larger than six points throughout the match. Siena (1-10, 0-1 MAAC) was able to grab a four-point advantage late in the first set, 22-18, to put Niagara on the ropes. However, a pair of kills from Deobler would fuel the Saints forward to a 25-20 victory in the set.

Niagara would take advantage of some Siena miscues, jumping out to a 15-12 lead in the second set. However, the Saints would step up helped by a pair of kills from sophomore Brooke Rogers to lead a 6-0 run to take an 18-15 lead. The run would be the largest by any team on the match. But the Purple Eagles hung in, and tied things at 23-23. After swapping points to make the set 24-24, a Siena service error and kill by Leitch gave Niagara the 26-24 win to tie up the match at 1-1.

With the score 18-18 in the third set, Siena would go on a run once again. They would cap a 4-0 run that was highlighted by back-to-back kills from Huffman to take a 21-18 lead. But Niagara would come back, force a tie at 25-25, and take the set 27-25 on two straight Siena attack errors. That would give the Purple Eagles a 2-1 advantage going into the fourth set.

The fourth set would go neck and neck down the stretch, with neither team gaining an advantage larger than three points, until Niagara pulled up by four at 24-20. Siena fought back, getting a pair of points to come back within a pair at 24-22. But, a kill from Niagara's Mary Redl sealed the set 25-22 and clinching the match for the Purple Eagles.

The Saints return to the floor tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 16 as they will end the weekend with a matchup against the Canisius Golden Griffins. First set will go up at 1 p.m. in the ARC.