LOUDONVILLE, NY – While within striking distance for all three sets, Siena Volleyball couldn't quite get the rally it needed down the stretch as Siena succumbed to NJIT 3-0 (25-21, 25-15, 25-19) on Saturday night at the UHY Center to finish play in the three-day Siena Saints Invitational. 

The Saints (1-8) had some opportunities, tying the Highlanders 18-all in the opening set after a 5-2 run on kills by Hannah Bowman, Doga Diraz, Claire Isaksen and Maggie Seymour as well as an ace from Grace Wilhelm locked it.

But NJIT (3-6) would win seven of the next 10 points to secure it after four Siena attacking errors and two kills from Ema Torres and another from Taylor West.

In the second set, Siena took a 10-6 advantage with another ace from Wilhelm and kills from Diraz, Bowman and Sina Toroslu. 

NJIT responded with eight consecutive points including a pair of aces from Sara Siefert before going on to win the set.

In the third set, Siena took another lead at 11-8 highlighted by a Diraz kill.

But, the Saints once again found themselves unable to close and allowed a 7-0 Highlanders' run and carried the set to a six-point victory. 

Diraz led with eight kills while Claire Isaksen produced a double-double with 12 digs and 11 assists. 

Syracuse improved to 9-0 overall and went 3-0 over the weekend while NJIT went 2-1 and Idaho was 1-2. 

Isaksen represented the Saints on the Siena Saints Invitational All-Tournament Team. 

Siena Saints Invitational All-Tournament Team
Ava Palm                    GR       OH      Syracuse
Sydney Moore             GR       MB      Syracuse
Doga Emil                   JR        L          NJIT
Ema Torres                  FR       OH      NJIT
Taylor Brickey            SR       OH      Idaho
Claire Isaksen             SR       S          Siena

Next up, Siena will travel to New Hampshire next weekend to play against Providence (5-3) on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Dartmouth Invitational.