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Canisius University Athletics

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Ella Loussia
Dean Bogart
2
Canisius CAN 3-9
3
Winner Buffalo UB 4-8
Canisius CAN
3-9
2
Final
3
Buffalo UB
4-8
Winner
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 5 F
Canisius CAN 26 25 19 20 11 (2)
Buffalo UB 24 18 25 25 15 (3)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Loses Five-Set Heartbreaker to Buffalo

In a tightly-contested match that went the distance, the Canisius volleyball team could not finish off Buffalo Saturday afternoon at Alumni Arena in Buffalo, N.Y. The Golden Griffins opened the day by grabbing the first two sets before the Bulls pulled out the victory over the final three frames at the Blue and White Classic (26-24, 25-18, 19-25, 20-25, 11-15).
 
Canisius now holds a 3-9 record at the end of non-conference play, while Buffalo moves to 4-8 on the season.
 
The Griffs were powered by freshman Ella Loussia and sophomore Hannah Nelson, as both recorded 12 kills in the loss. Nelson also picked up seven digs, two assists and two blocks. Senior Leah Simmons and sophomore Melina Woods also reached double-digits with 10 kills each. Simmons added on five block assists while Woods recorded a double-double by tallying 12 digs and three aces. Sophomore Camila Vazquez notched eight kills and two blocks in her third match back from injury. Senior Cassidy Ceriani also recorded a double-double with 45 assists and 12 digs, with the setter adding on seven kills and two block assists. Freshman Bree Long had another solid outing with a match-high 21 digs to go with eight assists.
 
The Bulls had Rachel Sanks hammer home 18 kills and Polina Prokudina add on 15 kills herself. Setter Scout McLerran finished with a double-double after registering 48 assists and 11 digs, while Paige Beck posted 20 digs for UB.
 
The opening set saw Canisius hang around late enough to rally thanks to eight kills from Loussia, as the Griffs came out of a timeout down, 22-19, and ripped off a 7-2 run that gave them the first set, 26-24. The second frame saw Canisius and UB again trade points throughout, but the Blue and Gold used a closing 5-0 surge to separate themselves enough for the 25-18 set win going into the break.
 
Despite five-straight points by Canisius midway through the third set, the host Bulls were able to recover with a 12-3 stretch to end the stanza with the win, 25-18. The fourth set again went in Buffalo's favor, as the Bulls took 19-15 edge off a 7-2 run and were able to fend off the Griffs' comeback attempts, 25-20.
 
In the deciding set, a 6-0 Canisius start seemed to swing momentum towards the Griffs, but UB responded with a 9-2 stretch to steal it away along with the lead. The Bulls then ended the final set by putting down three-straight kills to win, 15-11, and take the match.

Match Notes
• Saturday moves the all-time series between the crosstown opponents to 58-7-2 in favor of Buffalo.
• Nelson was named to the all-tournament team with 25 kills, 21 digs and eight service aces on the weekend.
• Ceriani now has 43 double-doubles in her collegiate career.
• With today's match, Ceriani has now recorded 40-plus assists in 23 career matches.
• Wood's double-double is the second of her career.
• This was Wood's 13th career match with double-digit kills.
• Simmons now has 10-plus kills in 31 career matches.
• Long has recorded 20-or-more digs in five of the Griffs' 12 contests.
• The Griffs' three wins in non-conference play is the most since 2012.
 
Up Next
The Griffs open MAAC play on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at longtime rival Niagara. That edition of the Battle of the Bridge will begin at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
 
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