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October 7, 2015Siena Volleyball Rebounds, Gets Key Win at Niagara
Siena won the final four points of the match to secure a thrilling five-set (14-25, 25-23, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13) victory at Niagara Saturday. Freshman outside Darby Taylor had 13 kills and the game-winning block in her first action since injuring her ankle on Opening Day.
Haley Howell dished out a season-high 49 assists, and Sonja Vasovic tied for a match-high with 14 kills for the Saints.
Siena bounced back from its only MAAC loss of the season, a five-set setback Sunday at Rider. The Broncs won the final four points of the match to take the fifth set 15-13 in that contest.
Vasovic and Taylor were joined in double figure kills by Christina Monroe (11) and Briana Flagg (10).
Siena libero Kalehua Katagiri led all players with 25 digs.
Niagara won three straight points to build a 13-11 lead in the decisive fifth set, forcing a Siena timeout. Howell turned to Vasovic on the opposite side to get the Saints a point closer, and a Niagara hitting error tied the set at 13-13. Monroe rose up for a timely finish in the middle, bringing Siena within a point of victory and forcing a Niagara timeout. Taylor blocked Taylor Edmonds’ attach to the floor to seal the win.
Taylor’s return couldn’t have come at a better time for the Saints, and it also came just two hours from her hometown of Thornton, Ontario. The Canadian figures to be right in the middle of Siena’s rotation the rest of the way.
Niagara came out swinging, running away for a 25-14 victory in the first set, but Siena responded smartly to take the second 25-23. Katagiri served the Saints to five straight points with the third set tied at 14-14, to key a decisive victory, but Niagara rebounded in the fourth set, holding off a late charge to take a 26-24 win.
Sophomore outside Rayenne Hale led Niagara with 14 kills. Setter Alexis Gray finished with 47 assists, 15 digs and three aces.
Siena will look to finish off a hard-to-get winning weekend in Western New York when it faces Canisius on ESPN3 at 1 p.m. Sunday.
