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University at Buffalo
10-4
Niagara
4-9
Bulls End Non-Conference Play With Sweep Of Niagara
9/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo volleyball team ended its non-conference schedule on a high note Tuesday night as the Bulls swept Niagara, 3-0, in its final match before MAC play this weekend. The victory improves UB's record to 10-4 on the year.
The Bulls took the contest 25-22, 25-14, 25-21 as head coach Reed Sunahara was able to play his entire squad over the course of the evening. UB outhit its opponent, .280 to .160. The Bulls had to climb their way back in the opening set as Niagara took a 17-12 advantage, but the Bulls scored six straight points, three coming on kills from junior Tahleia Bishop. Tied 18-18, the Bulls recorded three straight points and Niagara pulled no closer than two before the Bulls took the set 25-22. Bishop finished with seven kills in the opening set alone.
UB had its most dominant performance in the second set as the Bulls hit .423. With the set tied at 5-5, UB went on an 11-2 run and never looked back. The Bulls got their lead up to 19-10 on a kill from freshman Skyler Day, who was making her collegiate debut after missing the first 13 matches due to injury. UB grabbed its largest lead at set point, as an attack error gave the Bulls the 25-14 victory.
The Bulls were able to get everyone in the match in the third set as Day picked up the start in the set and fellow newcomers Danielle Marotto, Hannah Varley and Ana Paula Kuthy Rodriguez all saw action. Back-to-back kills from junior Amber Hatchett gave the Bulls a 13-7 lead and the Bulls continued to lead 20-16 before Niagara came back and pulled within one. With the Bulls up 22-21, UB got a kill from Bishop followed by a bad set from Niagara to pull within one point of match point. A service ace from junior Marissa Prinzbach took care of that as she clinched it for UB.
"It was nice to be back home and play in front of our crowd," said Sunahara. "We were a little inconsistant at times, but I thought we did some good things out there that will get us ready to open conference play."
Bishop led the way with 14 kills and just four errors on 28 swings as she hit .357 for the match. Fellow junior Megan Lipski added eight kills and just two errors, while despite playing just the third set, Hatchett finished with seven kills and three errors. Junior Akeila Lain finished with five kills and Day and fellow freshman Cassie Shado each had four.
Prinzbach led the offense with 38 assists, while freshman Niki Bozinoski added six. Defensively, Bozinoski and Lipski each finished with nine digs. The Bulls had eight total blocks, led by five from Lain and three from Prinzbach.
Niagara was led by eight kills from Amanda Sedore and seven kills from Nicole Matheis. Alexis Gray had 17 assists and Rylee Hunt added nine digs.
The Bulls will now turn their attention to MAC play which begins this Friday at Alumni Arena. The Bulls will host Bowling Green at 7:00 pm. UB will also host Miami (OH) on Saturday at 7:30 pm.
