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Canisius University Athletics

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Kalia Reisma Celebrates point vs Iona at the Koessler Athletic Center on September 26th 2025
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3
Winner Canisius Canis 12-17,9-9 MAAC
1
Niagara Niag 12-15,12-6 MAAC
Winner
Canisius Canis
12-17,9-9 MAAC
3
Final
1
Niagara Niag
12-15,12-6 MAAC
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Canisius Canis 25 25 21 26 (3)
Niagara Niag 14 18 25 24 (1)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Advances to MAAC Semifinals with Win over Niagara

Senior setter Ella Bourque dished out a match-best 48 assists to become the program's all-time leader in assists as No. 5 seed Canisius defeated fourth-seeded Niagara, 3-1, (25-14, 25-18, 21-25, 26-24) in the first round of the 2025 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Volleyball Championship Tuesday at the Gallagher Center in Lewiston, N.Y. 

Bourque surpassed previous record holder Shanon Jordan (1995-98) with the 3,842 assist of her career on the Golden Griffins' 18th point in the fourth set. With the win, Canisius (12-17) advanced to the semifinal round, where they will face top seed and host Fairfield on Saturday afternoon. 

Senior middle blocker Bella Mosquera registered 13 kills and a .500 hitting efficiency for the Griffs while recording a match-high seven blocks. Sophomore outside hitter Emma Isroff led Canisius with a team-best 16 kills while redshirt-freshman Julia Lenik tied Mosquera with 13 kills on the night. Freshman Madi Cowan put down 10 kills to round out the potent Canisius attack. Sophomore libero Brenda Reynaga registered 21 digs in the victory.

Kinga Wronska notched a match-best 17 kills and added 17 digs in a double-double performance for the Purple Eagles (12-15). Paisley Ka'ahanui notched 22 assists while Mia Schaefer handed out 18 digs. 
 
Canisius opened the match on a 7-2 run that grew to a 21-12 advantage in an opening set where the Griffs' ultimately hit at a .517 efficiency as a team. After Niagara answered with two straight points, Canisius hammered home four consecutive points to cruise to the set-one victory, 25-14.
 
Canisius continued to dominate in the second set, using nine straight points to build an 18-9 lead en route to a 25-18 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match. 
 
Niagara was able to hold off Canisius in the following frame, scoring a 25-21 victory in the third set to keep its season alive.

The fourth set saw Niagara force set point at 24-19 before a kill by Isroff ignited a decisive run for the Griffs that saw them record seven unanswered points to close out the match with a 26-24 victory and secure a trip to the conference semifinals for the second consecutive season.  
  
MATCH NOTES
• Tuesday was the third meeting this season between Canisius and Niagara. Canisius has recorded at least one win over their Battle of the Bridge rival in seven of the last eight seasons.
• Canisius has won four straight postseason meetings against Niagara dating back to 1992.
• Bourque has tallied 40-or-more assists in 14 matches this season and surpassed the 40-assist plateau for the 39th time in her career.
• Lenik has now posted double-digit kills in three consecutive matches.
• Mosquera reached double digits in kills for the 17th time this season with her 13-kill performance on Tuesday. She also posted a hitting percentage of .400 or higher for the seventh time this season. 
 
UP NEXT
Canisius faces top seeded Fairfield on Saturday at Leo D. Mahoney Arena in Fairfield, Conn. The winner of the semifinal match will advance to the championship match to face either Quinnipiac or Rider. First serve on Saturday is slated for 1 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

SUPPORT THE GRIFFS
Support Canisius volleyball in conjunction with the "More Than A Game" campaign. Your donation to the volleyball program helps our student-athletes continue to be champions in the community, in the classroom and in competition. To donate, CLICK HERE.

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