Box Score (PDF)

DAYTON, Ohio– Sophomore Genesis Miranda finished with a career-high 22 kills to lead the Purple Aces volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over Niagara in the second game of the Holiday Inn Classic.
 
With the victory, the University of Evansville is now 2-0 on the season for the first time since 2011.  That season, UE won their first five matches.
 
Stephanie Cerino totaled 13 kills on the day while Mildrelis Rodriguez checked in with nine.  Sophomore Jelena Merseli led everyone with 29 kills while Kim Deprez paced the Aces with 24 digs.  A pair of Purple Eagles led their team with 11 kills as Taylor Edmonds and Nicole Matheis finished with 11.
 
The Aces looked like they were going to cruise to an easy win in game one, going 4-0, but a late rally from Niagara saw them take a 25-21 win. 
 
In the second set, it looked like Niagara would be on its way to another win as they held a 14-10 advantage.  Evansville put a quick halt to that, going on a 6-1 run to take the lead.  Leading the way in that stretch was Miranda, who registered three kills.  Still leading 21-20, Rocio Fortuny swatted home a kill with an assist from Merseli to lead the Aces on a game-ending 4-1 run to take the 25-21 win.
 
Another competitive set ensued in the third.  With the score tied up at 15-15, neither team would relent.  Each point was tied up until 19-19.  That is when a pair of Rodriguez kills set UE on a 3-0 stretch to go up 22-19.  Niagara battled back to tie the game at 23-23.  Two more ties led to a 25-25 score before the Aces were able to finish it off.  They forced to NU errors to take a 27-25 triumph.
 
Evansville left no doubt in the fourth, jumping out to a 14-4 lead.  Six of those points came from Miranda, who added to her kill tally.  The Aces' 10-point advantage held strong as they clinched the match with a 25-15 win. 


Later today at 5:30 p.m. ET, UE looks to win the tournament with a match against Wright State.
 

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