Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Canisius University Athletics

#Griffs The Official Home of the Canisius University Golden Griffins | #Griffs
Kara Zaucha Serves
Phil Pavely
3
Winner Canisius Canis 4-8,2-1 MAAC
1
Niagara Niag 3-10,1-2 MAAC
Winner
Canisius Canis
4-8,2-1 MAAC
3
Final
1
Niagara Niag
3-10,1-2 MAAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Canisius Canis 25 28 20 25 (3)
Niagara Niag 21 26 25 22 (1)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Clips Niagara 3-1 in the Battle of the Bridge

The Canisius volleyball team defeated the Niagara Purple Eagles 3-1 in the first match of the Battle of the Bridge rivalry. The Golden Griffins won the match with scores of 25-21, 28-26, 20-25 and 25-22.
 
With the win, the Griffs record moves to 4-8 overall and 2-1 in MAAC play while the Purple Eagles slip to 3-10 and 1-2 in MAAC matches.
 
Niagara got the first set started fast, going on a 8-1 run to open the match before a 9-1 spurt, led by four kills from sophomore middle blocker Emma Mans, gave the Griffs a slight 10-9 lead. Each side was engaged in a close back-and-forth for the rest of the frame before four unanswered points sealed the 25-22 set victory and 1-0 match lead for the Griffs.
 
The second set came down to the wire with neither team holding on to a large lead. Down 24-23, sophomore outside hitter Taylor Baldwin rattled of a kill to tie the match at 24-all. The Purple Eagles would retake the lead, 25-24, but Baldwin was again the hero, leading a 3-0 stretch, both by serving and with another kill, to help the Griffs emerge victorious, 28-26, and take a 2-0 match lead.
 
With their backs against the wall, the Purple Eagles had full control of the third set, going up by as much as seven. Even with a late run started by kills from junior right side Alexa Albinson, the Griffs fell, 25-20, and saw their match lead cut in half, 2-1.
 
The fourth set again came down to the wire just at the previous frames had with Canisius up one, 22-21. Senior outside hitter Ella Loussia gave the Griffs some breathing room with back-to-back kills to make it, 24-22. Up one, 24-23, after a Niagara point, sophomore outside hitter Kara Zaucha checked into the match and off the serve, received an assist from freshman setter Ella Bourque to nab the game winning kill to take the set, 25-23, and match 3-1.
 
Loussia led the Griffs with 20 kills while Bourque chipped in 45 assists. As a team, the Blue & Gold hit at a .151 clip (62-31-105).
 
Jenna Vogen had 11 kills in the contest with Kylie Blessing having 14 assists for Niagara. As a team, the Purple Eagles had slightly lower .125 hitting percentage (47-23-192).
 
Match Notes
• Graduate Student defensive specialist Stella Johnson notched her 1,000th career dig midway through the second set. She accumulated 930 during four years at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and so far, has 73 at Canisius.
• This was head coach Tom Hanna's first-time coaching in the Battle of the Bridge. As head coach of Marist, Hanna faced the Purple Eagles 20 times, compiling a 10-10 record from 2006-15.
• With her one service ace today, Loussia has now recorded a service ace in 12 straight matches.
• This is the first time since March 28, 2021 that Canisius won a match at Niagara, with the Griffs winning 3-1 during the shortened 2021 season. The last time the Griffs won at Niagara during a regular season match was Sept. 24, 2019, also a 3-1 triumph.
• This was the first victory during the 2022 campaign that did not go five sets.
 
Up Next
The Griffs return home tomorrow to face Niagara in the return fixture of the Battle of the Bridge at noon.
 
Print Friendly Version