Fairfield, CT - The Iona College volleyball team was unable to capitalize on a first game win, as Fairfield battled back over the final three games to take the match 3-1.  The loss ended a four match winning streak for the Gaels (10-13, 7-3), while the Stags (13-10, 10-1) have now won nine straight over conference opponents.

The tone was set early as Iona overcame a deficit to pull within 22-21 on a block. Fairfield briefly held off the attack but the Gaels tied the game 26-26 on a kill by Alyssa Morales. The two teams would tie three more times before Iona used an attack error and a block to take game one, 31-29.

Fairfield jumped out to a 7-1 lead in game two to only to have Iona chip away. The Gaels tied the game 17-17 on a kill by Sarah Wiener but the Stags went on a 6-1 run to gain some ground.  Iona came back once again, this time tying the game at 25-25, with the score being tied three more times afterwards.  With the game on the line, Fairfield's Lindsey Lee served the final two points of the game to even the match.

The Stags controlled in game three from nearly the start. With the match tied 5-5, Fairfield out-scored Iona 25-9 the rest of the way for the 30-14 victory. Fairfield carried the momentum from the third frame in the fourth game opening up an early 12-1 lead. The Gaels would cut the gap to 18-11 but Fairfield was able to stop the run on a kill by Kayla Hughes. Iona continued to creep back pulling within 26-22 but the Stags held on closing the game on a 4-1 run.

Kendall Paulus led the Maroon & Gold with 19 kills and eight digs.  Wiener was next with 17 kills, followed by Kristin Allain with 11.  Allain also added two aces, seven digs, and six block assists.  Libero Allison Nieters had another impressive night, recording 33 digs for the Gaels.

Iona travels upstate for a two-game weekend lineup, beginning with a match against Canisius on Oct. 20.