Syracuse, N.Y.  – The Le Moyne College volleyball team hosted Niagara University at home on Saturday night. The Dolphins return to Ted Grant Court was spoiled as they fell to the Purple Eagles, 25-14, 25-20, 25-18 to bring their season record to 1-8.

Niagara took an early 8-2 lead in set one and were able to hold on for a 25-14 win despite the Dolphins narrowing their deficit to two mid-way through. Le Moyne fought to tie up set two, 16-16, but four straight points from the Purple Eagles were too much to come back from as Niagara took the set, 25-20. Set three began with a 10-4 lead by Niagara before Le Moyne stormed back for five straight points. The set was notched at 14 mid-way through, but the Purple Eagles were able to pull away to finish out the set and match with a 25-18 win in set three.

For the Dolphins, sophomore opposite hitter Branwyn Lupton (Napanee, O.N. / Napanee District Secondary School) led with ten kills, while freshman outside hitter Denali Louden (Murrieta, C.A. / Murrieta Mesa) and freshman middle hitter Anaya Rawlinson (Whitby, O.N. / Sinclair Secondary School) each recorded eight of their own. Freshman setter Skylar Jehlen (Rochester, N.Y. / Churchville-Chili) led the team in assists with 16 while junior setter Haley Gerken (Buffalo, N.Y. / Frontier) tallied another 14 for Le Moyne. On defense, Louden led with 12 digs with freshman libero/DS Brooke Menke (St. Louis, M.O. / Visitation Academy) putting up an additional 11. Freshman outside hitter Jordyn Hamlin (Manahawkin, N.J. / Southern Regional) and junior middle hitter Kayla Anstett (Rochester, N.Y. / Hilton) each recorded two blocks in the loss. 

For Niagara, Kinga Wronska led with eight kills, while Victoria Latino and Payton Lee each added seven. Kylie Blessing (13) and Noel Perkins (10) each notched double-digit assists while Blessing also led the squad with 10 digs against the 'Phins.

The Dolphins will remain home to take on the 8-5 Bearcats from Binghamton University on Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 6:00 P.M.