LOUDONVILLE, NY – Up by a set and a chance for victory, the Siena Volleyball team couldn't break through for another set victory as the Canisius Golden Griffins took the victory over the Saints by a final score of 3-2 (25-27, 25-23, 25-22, 23-25, 15-10). Canisius has now won the last four matchups, and have won both matches this season by a 3-2 final.
 
"Our team played a fabulous match today and fully played well enough to win," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "They should be very proud of their effort today."
 
For the first time this season, the Saints had five players earn double-digit kill totals. Leading that charge would be graduate student Emily Wunder, as she scored a season-high 18 kills. The other standout performance came from freshman Sarah Wagner, as she notched 14 kills and 24 digs earning her third double-double of the season. Sophomore Meghan Johnsson also set a new career-high in assists, eclipsing 50 for the first time collegiately with 56 on the match.
 
Canisius was led by a huge offensive match from Ella Loussia, as she finished with 21 total kills. Camila Vazquez also scored double-digit kills with 11, while libero Bree Long had 23 digs. Overall on the match, the Griffs would hit .235 to Siena's .190.
 
The first set set the tone as a battle between the two sides, as neither team gained complete control of the lead. The score would tie up 17 total times in the set, while the lead changed hands nine total times. The Saints would grab the advantage, going into extra rally after having a chance with set point. With the score tied 25-25, Siena would turn to senior Maddy Dunigan for back-to-back kills to end it for a 27-25 set one victory.
 
The ball would fall the other way in the second set, as the Golden Griffins would find some cushion late in the set with a 21-18 lead. But the Saints didn't go quietly, scoring three points in a row to tie it at 21-21. After a kill from Canisius' Kara Zaucha, Siena scored another two points for a 23-22 lead. As it looked it might be another close finish in favor of the Saints, Canisius scored three straight points on three consecutive Siena attack errors to take the set and tie things up 1-1.
 
Siena bounced back in the third, despite trailing most of the set. With the score 21-20 in favor of Canisius, the Saints scored five of the last six points to take the set and go up 2-1. Leading into the fourth, Siena was just three points from clinching the match with a 22-20 lead. However, Canisius would get a swing of momentum – and like Siena the previous set – would score five of the last six points in the set to win 25-23 to tie things up 2-2 forcing set five.
 
In the deciding fifth set, both sides jostled for advantage early. With the score 8-8, the Golden Griffins took over and found another gear as they outscored the Saints 7-2 over the final nine rallies – including four straight points to end the match.
 
The Saints return to action Wednesday, Oct. 13 when the Saints host Fairfield in the final match of a four-match home stand at 7 p.m.