The Canisius College volleyball team saw its program-best seven-match winning streak come to an end in a four-set loss to rival Niagara University in the Koessler Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon. The Purple Eagles defeated the Golden Griffins 25-22, 16-25, 25-20, 25-18 as Canisius drops to 9-8 overall and 6-1 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.

Seniors Samantha Good and Logan Sulongga led Canisius with 12 kills apiece with Good also posting a .360 attack percentage and four blocks. Junior Emily Elek had her fourth double-double of the season with 11 kills and 10 digs while junior Jessica Warner added 10 kills. Senior Allyson Severyn had 20 digs while junior Sydney Palka added 41 assists. Sophomore Emily Litwin posted a season-high 14 digs.

"I think we still have to get over the hump in terms of defeating Niagara. We were grinding points today but could never string together enough points," Canisius coach Cathy Hummel said. "When we face adversity in a match, we are still searching for some on-court leadership.

"We will learn from this loss and get better this week in practice before facing two good teams next weekend."

In the first set, Niagara built a 19-14 lead before Canisius made a late rally. Canisius would go on a 7-1 run, taking a 21-20 lead on a kill from Sulongga. Canisius was up 22-21 after a kill from Elek before the Purple Eagles won the final four points of the set, capped by three straight kills from Kari Honomichl, to win the first set.

Canisius built an early 6-1 lead in the second set before Niagara won seven straight points on the serve of Honomichl to go up 8-6. The teams would stay close, with Canisius taking a 14-12 lead after back-to-back service aces from Severyn. The Griffs wouldn't give up the lead the rest of the set, breaking up the set with six straight points on the serve of freshman Jordan Tylec, and eventually went on to even the match at one set apiece by winning the second set on a service ace from Good.

Canisius held a 12-10 lead in the third set after a kill from Sulongga, but Niagara took control of the set by winning the next four points, including three points on the serve of Honomichl, to go up 14-12. The Purple Eagles wouldn't give up the lead and go up 2-1 in the match.

In the fourth set, Niagara jumped out to a 9-2 lead, once again using a big run on the serve of Honomichl. The Griffs battled back but only got as close as 14-13 after a Niagara attack error. The Purple Eagles never gave up the lead as Niagara won four of the final five points to close out the match.

Niagara (8-9, 5-2 MAAC) received a match-high 15 kills from junior Ellen Senf while Honomichl had a double-double with 14 kills and 16 digs. Michelle James added 38 assists while Allison Reis had a match-best 21 digs.

Canisius continues its homestand with two matches next weekend in the Koessler Athletic Center. The Golden Griffins host Fairfield University on Saturday, with match time set for 2 p.m.

Notes: The loss was the first for Canisius since a five-set loss to Rhode Island on Sept. 7. It was also the first regular-season conference loss for the Griffs since Oct. 23, 2011, against Fairfield... Niagara has now defeated Canisius in eight straight meetings... Litwin had a season-high in digs for the second consecutive match... Palka had 30-plus assists for the sixth consecutive match and had 40-plus assists in back-to-back matches for the first time in her career... Sulongga has double-digit kills in back-to-back matches for the first time this season... Tylec had a career-best seven digs on the match, doubling her season total as she entered the match with seven digs on the season... Good had double-digit kills in three straight matches for the first time this season.