NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball team used a tremendous defensive effort in cruising to a three-set victory over Loyola in its 2008 MAAC opener at the Hynes Center.   The Gaels (7-4, 1-0 MAAC) held the Greyhounds (3-9, 0-1 MAAC) to a negative hitting percentage (-.046) while recording 42 digs and six blocks in the 25-14, 25-15, 25-21 victory.

Senior Kendall Paulus posted eight kills and junior Sarah Wiener had eight as the Gaels took advantage of 44 errors by the Loyola offense.   Sophomore Allison Nieters recorded 27 digs and rookie Rachelle Wilson had four blocks in the victory.

Set 1:
The Gaels took an early 7-2 lead and never led by less than five in the set.  The Gaels hit a match best .259 in the set including four kills a piece from Paulus and Wiener.

Set 2:
Iona grabbed the lead for good at 10-9 on a Greyhound service error and posted six service points in a row by Paulus to take a 16-9 lead and cruised to the 25-15 win.  The Greyhounds had just six kills and posted 13 errors in the set loss.

Set 3:
Rookie middle hitter Molly O'Shea and sophomore Colleen Genett each had three kills to lead Iona in the 25-21 win.  The Gaels erased a late three-point deficit, scoring 10 of the sets last 13 points.

Iona is back in action tomorrow afternoon when they take on Saint Peter's at the Hynes Center.