The Siena Volleyball team ended their weekend in western New York with a loss to the Niagara Purple Eagles by a final score of 3-1 (25-18, 25-15, 21-25, 25-20). Graduate student Emily Wunder collected a team-high 14 kills in the effort.
 
"Today we showed some growing pains and youth," said head coach Vilis Ozols. "But, the consistent part of our team is effort and fight, and our team has that in abundance."
 
Wunder was the only Saint in double-figures on the match, as freshman Sara Wagner and Olga Sawinska each added eight kills apiece. Wagner led the team in digs with 13, while Gracie Halley also added 10 as the only Saint in double figures. The offense ran through the duo of Claire Isaksen and Meghan Johnsson, as each cleared 20 assists for the match.
 
Niagara was led by a 14-kill effort from Mary Redl, while Jaycie Roberts had a solid all-around game with 13 kills and 15 digs for a double-double. Setter Jessica Streuer also collected a double-double with 18 assists and 11 digs. Amanda Darling was the top defensive player, putting up 20 total digs.
 
It would be a close first set between the two sides, as Siena was able to get out to a 14-13 lead midway through the set after a kill from senior Abby Huffman and an attack error from Niagara. However, the Purple Eagles would respond and score three points in a row on three Siena errors as the lead swung the other way for good. The Purple Eagles would score in clumps down the stretch, including another three straight to end the set, 25-18. They would continue their momentum into the second, and take that set 25-15 to go up 2-0 into the intermission.
 
Set three would follow the same script as both sides jostled for position. However, this would be a different ending for the Saints as they maintained a multi-point lead through the end of the set after breaking a 15-all tie that featured a service ace from Halley to make it a two-point lead. Wagner smacked the final kill of the set for point 25, giving the Saints a set and forcing a fourth. But, the Purple Eagles closed the door in a fourth, using a 9-1 run to open a sizable lead. Despite Siena's best effort and coming back within four points, a kill from Roberts would end things at 25-20 and give Niagara the 3-1 wn.
 
The Saints return to action this Wednesday, Sept. 22 when they head across town to face the UAlbany Great Danes in their final non-conference tilt of the season. Opening serve gets things going at 7 p.m.