BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Canisius College volleyball team inched one step closer to securing the final playoff spot in the MAAC tournament, on Saturday, as the squad defeated, fifth-place Rider, 3-1 at the Koessler Athletic Center. With the win the Griffs improved to 8-9 to keep pace with Niagara, who is also searching for a postseason berth.

“We did a better job of closing out sets today than we have in the past,” head coach Cathy Hummel said. “I'm really proud of the girls for staying the course and believing in themselves, and we finally found a way to get a win”

The story of the contest was the production that Canisius received from junior leader, Katlyn Tyler, who set a new career-high with 28 kills for the Blue and Gold. Not only was she the team leader in kills, but also was incredibly efficient, posting a hitting percentage of .408, recording just eight errors on 49 attacks. Tyler also notched 13 digs to record the double double.

Also recording a double-double was Jacklyn Malusa who posted 10 kills and 13 digs for the Griffs, as well as graduating senior Grace Streicher, who posted 46 assists and 12 digs.

As a team the Blue and Gold recorded a .210 hitting percentage, recording 59 kills and 29 errors on 143 total attacks. Meanwhile Rider, posted a hitting percentage of .234, with 45 kills and just 15 errors on 128 attacks.

The Broncs had just one player record double-figure kills as Hailey Riede posted 11 kills and a .233 hitting percentage.

Canisius opened up with an emotional 25-21 first-set win to set the tone, however Rider bounced back taking the next frame 25-19, as the two squads headed into the break.

Canisius was able to take the third set, 25-20, to steal momentum back to set up a pivotal fourth frame.

The Griffs got off to a fast start, opening on a 10-3 run, to take the early lead. Rider began to cut into the advantage, but the Griffs maintained distance until later in the set. With the score 20-14, Rider scored seven of the next 11 points to come to within three, but a Ryan Ackermann service error clinched the match for the Blue and Gold, 3-1.

Canisius now awaits the final match of the regular season to see if it will qualify for the conference tournament. The Griffs play Saint Peter's at 1 p.m. tomorrow at the KAC. Also on the minds of the Griffs will be a match taking place to the North, as the Purple Eagles host Rider.  If Canisius defeats Saint Peter's and Niagara falls to Rider, Canisius will leapfrog the Purple Eagles and steal the spot. The two teams have the same record so the Blue and Gold need to finish with one more win this weekend them Niagara, since the Griffs' rival took the season series. If both teams win out, or Canisius is defeated, coupled with a Niagara win, the Purple Eagles will head to the MAAC tournament.

Also tomorrow the squad will celebrate the careers of four seniors who will play their final contest on the Canisius campus. Lauren Siebert, Jordan Tylec, Streicher and Rachel Kline will all be honored prior to the start of the match.