LOUDONVILLE, NY – The Siena Saints volleyball team opened their 2021 spring season in Buffalo, as they fell to the Canisius Golden Griffins in both matches 3-1 and 3-0. However, Siena had freshman Greta Stjade stand out in both matches, heavily leading the Saints in multiple categories.
 
Match 1: Canisius 3, Siena 1 (25-17, 22-25, 22-25, 22-25)
 
Junior Hannah Nelson had 25 kills and 14 digs to lead the Griffs over the Saints in the first match of the day. However, Stjade would show out for Siena, putting down 17 total kills and 11 digs. Siena had both Meghan Johnsson and Anna Mayer total 22 and 21 assists on the match, while Hailey Hinkel fell one kill short of a double-double finishing with 13 digs and nine kills.
 
Down 16-14 in the first set, the Saints used a huge 8-0 started by a kill from Hinkel to turn the score to 22-16 in favor of Siena. After a kill from Canisius broke the streak, kills from Alexa Within and Stjade sandwiched around an ace from Hinkel clinched the opening set 25-17.
 
The second set saw a late push from the Saints, but they would fall just short at 25-22, while the third set saw the Golden Griffs go off with three straight points to break a 22-all tie to win the set and go up 2-1 in the match. Canisius would close up the first match with a win in the fourth, using two separate runs of 8-0 and 5-0 to grab a sizable 24-17 lead. With the match end in sight, Siena would use a 5-0 run of their own to put on some pressure and make the score 24-22. But, a kill from Ellie Shult closed the door and gave Canisius the win.
 
"The match was very close and I felt our team showed some great positives," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "Canisius played so scrappy and by the narrowest of margins that helped them prevail. We had some really nice play and I love who we are as a team as we come together this season."
 
Match 2: Canisius 3, Siena 0 (20-25, 13-25, 17-25)
 
The Saints struggled offensively in the second match, hitting only .093 with 21 attack errors as they fell in straight sets. Shult would be the leading attacker for Canisius, finishing with 11 kills. Nelson would collect a double for the Golden Griffins, as she collected 12 digs and 10 kills. Stjade would nab only three kills for Siena, but would lead the team in digs with 19.
 
"Even in the loss, there were bright spots," added Ozols. "As with many first outings of the season, many things were identified that we can address and build on. The doubleheader format is pretty grueling and I know the players will sleep well tonight."
 
On the other side, Canisius hit a solid .348 on the offensive end, getting 46 team kills on 112 total attacks. They committed just seven attack errors in the three sets.
 
The Golden Griffins also had 10 total blocks in the match, while the Saints only had one.
 
Siena return to the court next Sunday, Mar. 14 when they play host to Saint Peter's in the friendly confines of the UHY Center at Siena for their season home opener. Opening serve kicks off the doubleheader at 12 PM, with the second match coming at 4 PM.