Buffalo, N.Y. - Second-seeded Niagara University defeated fourth-seeded Marist College, 3-0, to win the 2009 MAAC Volleyball Championship at the Koessler Athletic Center on the campus of Canisius College.
The Purple Eagles (23-8, 14-4 MAAC) took the first set, 25-20, and prevailed in hard-fought battles in both the second and third sets, 27-25, to win their first MAAC Volleyball Championship in school history.
Hannah Hedrick, the Most Valuable Player of the championship, finished the night with 10 kills and six digs. Amanda Wilken added 10 kills and Michelle James recorded 34 assists to earn spots on the All-Tournament Team. They were joined on the squad by Dawn Jan and Leann Harridsleff from Marist, Katie Mann from Fairfield University and Kau'i Robello from Siena College.
The Red Foxes (18-13, 11-7 MAAC) were led by Harridsleff with nine kills and six digs. Jan finished the evening with 30 assists and 10 digs.
Niagara earned the league's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I Volleyball Championship. The selection announcement will take place on Sunday, November 29 at 3:00 p.m. on ESPNews.
