Hempstead, NY - Senior Zyare Abdul-Rahim and freshman Clara Bal each posted 10 kills to lead the Hofstra volleyball team to a season-opening three-set sweep of Niagara in the first match of the Hofstra Invitational on Friday morning at the David S. Mack Physical Education Center. 

Set scores were 25-20, 25-23, and 25-18 in favor of the Pride, which has now won its last 12 home openers. 

Bal led the way in the opening set with four kills on six attempts as the Pride jumped out to the early lead. The second stanza saw Abdul-Rahim and fellow senior Sarah Pierre each pace the Pride with four kills to give Hofstra a commanding two sets to none lead. In the final set, it was Bal again with four more kills to catapult Hofstra to the sweep. 

The Pride hit at a robust .337 clip in the match, while holding the Purple Eagles to just a .105 attack percentage. 

Sophomore Beatriz Alves added 39 assists and five digs, while classmate Chiara Cucco led Hofstra with 14 digs and three service aces. 

Kinga Wronska had seven kills and nine digs for Niagara.

Hofstra will take on Miami (FL) tonight at 7 p.m. in the Pride's second match of the tournament. The contest will air on FloVolleyball.

NOTES
- Hofstra is now 3-0 all-time against Niagara. Today's match was the first between the teams since 1994. 
- Hofstra is now 26-15 all-time in season openers. 
- The three service aces marked a new career-high for Cucco, who had two on a pair of occasions during her rookie campaign.