Marist Red Foxes Cruise to Victory Over Niagara, 5-1

By Steve Speedling

POUGHKEEPSIE – The Marist volleyball team bounced back today with an impressive sweep over the 5-1 Niagara Purple Eagles. In the victory, Megan Fergus jumped up two spots on the program’s all-time kills list, and is now in sole possession of sixth place. She is now neck-and-neck with teammate Nikki DeSerpa on the list.

With the win, the Red Foxes improve to 7-11 on the season, and 5-3 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play. Meanwhile, the Purple Eagles fall to 6-11 overall and 5-2 in the conference.

The Red Foxes dominated the first set all the way through. Madelyn Waumans opened the set with a kill, and then Fergus connected on two straight kills, giving Marist a lead that they would not relinquish for the entirety of the set. The Purple Eagle’s would cut their deficit to just one on six different occasion, but each time the Red Foxes had an answer. Marist won the set 25-18.

Marist didn’t give Niagara a second to breathe, boarding the Purple Eagles with a 10-2 run to open the second set. Niagara couldn’t seem to find an answer for Gabby Murray, as through the second set the middle blocker from Wisconsin had seven kills on a .778 hitting percentage. Murray helped lead the Red Foxes to an easy 25-15 win.

Just like in the second set, Marist just couldn’t be stopped in the third set. They opened this one with a 10-3 run this time, and Niagara just couldn’t draw up anything that could stop the Red Fox offense. Whether it was Sarah Austin, Waumans, Fergus, or Murray, they had their way with just about every swing. Marist took the set 25-13, and the match 3-0.

The Red Foxes will return to action on Saturday, October 19 against the Iona Gaels.