By Ethan Savluk

The Quinnipiac Bobcats (4-15, 2-5 MAAC) took on the Niagara Purple Eagles (2-17, 1-7 MAAC) in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference matchup as they looked to bounce back after a 3-1 loss to Siena on Wednesday, but instead they lost 3-0. 

Despite the Bobcats’ young roster, they saw success during the past two weeks, winning their first two MAAC games over Rider and St. Peter’s, prior to the Siena loss.

In previous matches, Quinnipiac’s play was backed by an unstoppable energy. This energy that would usually give life to the team through adversity was absent from both the court and the home bleachers.

In the first two sets, the young Quinnipiac team was able to overcome their mistakes, and kept the sets close, both resulting in 25-22 Niagara victories. After the second set, an aura of hopelessness followed Quinnipiac into the locker room.

As the third set began and several points went in favor of Niagara, the same mistakes and miscommunication from the first two sets returned. This allowed the Purple Eagles to explode to a huge lead and never look back as they took the final set 25-15.

Niagara was able to limit mistakes, including only three service errors in 28 attempts. Sophomore Melissa McGwin (Rochester, N.Y.) led Niagara’s attack, posting a game-high 11 kills.

Quinnipiac struggled throughout the match, posting only a 12-kill percentage and eight service errors. Katie Urycki (Chesterton, Ind.) led the Bobcats with 10 kills on 25 attempts. Freshman Allison Leigh (Palmer, Alaska) finished with four total blocks.

With the loss, the Bobcats fall to 4-15 overall and 2-5 in the MAAC. They look to return to their winning ways against the 6-12 Canisius Golden Griffins tomorrow at Burt Kahn Court at 1 p.m.