NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball team dropped a surprising four-set decision to Niagara in MAAC action at the Hynes Center.  The Purple Eagles (6-22, 4-12 MAAC) used solid all-around play to stun the Gaels (17-11, 9-7 MAAC) on their home floor.

Freshman Rachelle Wilson and junior Sarah Wiener had nine kills a piece and sophomore Rachel Whitten added eight in the loss.  Sophomore Alyssa Erickson posted her fourth straight double-double and 13th of the season with 28 assists while matching a career-high with 15 digs.

Sophomore Allison Nieters had 33 digs, the third time this season she posted back-to-back 30+ dig matches.  Nieters has nine such efforts on the year and now stands tied with Chatanooga's Lara Newberry for the most in NCAA Div. I volleyball this season.  Whitten added 17 digs while sophomore Laura Fojanesi had 13.  Wilson recorded five blocks - four of the solo variety.

The Gaels stand in a three-way tie for third place with Manhattan and Marist with two games to play.  Iona battles Rider next Saturday at 11:00 am before a potential postseason deciding matchup with the Red Foxes on Senior Day on Sunday.

GAME SCORES               1  2  3  4  TEAM RECORDS   
Niagara............. (3) 20 25 25 25  6-22, 4-12 MAAC
Iona College........ (1) 25 20 13 16  17-11, 9-7 MAAC