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Canisius University Athletics

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Leah Simmons attacks vs. Niagara on Nov. 7, 2019
Dean Bogart
3
Winner Niagara NIA 11-13, 10-4 MAAC
1
Canisius CAN 12-14, 9-5 MAAC
Winner
Niagara NIA
11-13, 10-4 MAAC
3
Final
1
Canisius CAN
12-14, 9-5 MAAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Niagara NIA 24 25 30 25 (3)
Canisius CAN 26 14 28 13 (1)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Defeated by Niagara in Weeknight Battle

Caroline Leitch pounded down 19 kills for Niagara, as the Canisius volleyball team was defeated by their longtime rival, 3-1, on Thursday evening at the Koessler Athletic Center in Buffalo, N.Y. The Golden Griffins were able to beat the Purple Eagles in the first set, but then proceeded to lose the next three frames (26-24, 14-25, 28-30, 13-25).
 
The loss dropped the Blue and Gold to 12-14 overall and 9-5 in MAAC play, while Niagara improved to 11-13 on the season and 10-4 in league action.
 
Canisius senior Leah Simmons and sophomore Camila Vazquez both tallied 12 kills in the losing effort, as Simmons sported a .385 hitting percentage and Vazquez led the match with six block assists. Freshman Ella Loussia added 10 kills while senior Gabrielle Darnaby pitched in nine.

Both setters for the Griffs, senior Cassidy Ceriani and sophomore Ashley Kekeisen, recorded double-doubles as Ceriani had 16 assists and 12 digs while Kekeisen racked up 22 assists and 16 digs. Sophomore Hannah Nelson paced the squad with 17 digs and three aces on top of seven kills, and freshman libero Bree Long finished with 13 digs and six assists.
 
Leitch, Jaycie Roberts and Grace Hetterscheidt all recorded double-doubles for the Purple Eagles, as Roberts led the visitors with 23 digs in addition to 16 kills. Jessica Streuer paced all players with 48 assists, while libero Emillie Wright posted 21 digs and a match-best four aces.
 
In the first set, Canisius and Niagara traded points the entire frame, as the two teams sat even 13 times before Canisius was able to tally two-straight points and take the set, 26-24. The second set was all Niagara, with the Purple Eagles putting together a 15-5 run to cruise to a 25-14 win.
 
The third set was all about streaks, as an opening 7-2 stretch by the Griffs was matched by a 11-3 Niagara run. Down 13-10, Canisius then rattled off 11 of the next 12 points thanks in part to Nelson's three aces but gave up a pair of 5-0 surges by Niagara that tied the frame at 24-24, before the Purple Eagles eventually escaped with a 30-28 victory thanks to eight kills by Leitch.

Canisius could not gain back the momentum in the fourth set, as six-straight points by Niagara swelled the gap to 14-5, and the Purple Eagles eventually took the match-clinching set by a 12-point margin
 
Head Coach Lenika Vazquez's Postgame Comments
"Niagara played a very aggressive game on the defensive end and on the offensive end, so we have a couple things to work on going into this weekend. It's a short turnaround but we'll make it happen.
 
"It's back to the basics, back to the little things in order for us to have that success and making sure that we are ready to finish. We were up on them twice, but they came back and were super aggressive not letting up defensively and they got us, so we have got to do better."
 
Game Notes
• Thursday brought the all-time series between the rivals to 52-49-2 in favor of Canisius.
• Ceriani's double-double is the 54th of her career, while Kekeisen earned her third career double-double.
• Vazquez has recorded three-plus blocks in 10-straight matches, and has 10-plus kills in three-straight contests.
• Nelson has registered multiple aces in 11 matches this season.
 
Up Next
The Golden Griffins continue their season-ending homestand with Siena and Marist this weekend in a pair of 1 p.m. contests. The Saints come to town on Saturday, with the Red Foxes visiting the Koessler Athletic Center the following day.
 
Follow the Griffs
For complete coverage of Canisius volleyball, please follow the Griffs on social media at @GriffVolleyball (Twitter and Instagram).
 
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