For the second straight matchup and third time in their last five matches, the Siena Volleyball team fell in five sets 3-2 (23-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-13, 15-12) as they were defeated by the Canisius Golden Griffins in the first MAAC matchup of the season.
 
"I am so proud of this young group of athletes and the effort and intensity that they played with today," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "The positivity and intensity on our side was palpable. Our team keeps growing and can hold their heads high."
 
Siena was led by a 13 kill effort from sophomore Greta Stade, while graduate student Emily Wunder added 12. Freshman Sara Wagner kept her momentum going on offense with 11 kills, while also adding 11 digs. Wunder added two blocks on defense, as junior Gracie Halley also led the way in digs with 21.
 
Canisius saw Rachel Kinney get a match-high 17 kills, while adding 10 digs for a double-double. Ella Loussia tossed in 13 kills, and Giulia La Longa added 12 as the other Golden Griffins in double-digit kills. Bree Long was the standout on defense, putting up 23 digs. Elle Shult was strong at the net, getting a hand in six of the Canisius nine blocks on the day – which included two solo blocks.
 
The first set started in a battle, as both sides jostled for the lead, trading points all the way until a 14-all score. Siena would then take the opportunity to jump ahead, scoring three straight points with kills from Wunder and Shannon Dunkin sandwiched around a Canisius attack error. Despite the Golden Griffins bouncing back with a pair of points to make it 17-16, another 4-0 run by Siena to make it 21-16 would prove all they needed as they hung on for the first set win, 25-23.
 
However, Canisius would tie things up after a win in the second set using a 5-0 run to flop the lead and even things at 1-1. The battle continued though into the third, as the script would run much like the first for Siena. Two separate 4-0 to give Siena the lead and extend the lead were key, with both including multiple Canisius attack errors. The Saints would take advantage, bringing in a 25-20 victory in set three to take the 2-1 lead.
 
The Golden Griffins would then take control with their backs against the wall, dominating the fourth set. With the score 16-13 in favor of Canisius, they would run off nine straight points to end the set 25-13 and go into the fifth with the momentum. Despite the Saints grabbing an 8-7 lead in the fifth, Canisius scored a 3-0 run to take a 10-8 lead and carry the lead through the end, taking the set 15-12.
 
The Saints return to action tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 19 when they head over to the falls to take on Niagara. Opening serve for the match will go up at 12 p.m.