NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball team dropped its 2009 home opener to Siena in four sets in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Hynes Athletics Center.  Junior OH Rachel Whitten posted 11 kills and senior OH Sarah Wiener had 10 to lead the Gaels.

After taking a close set in the opening frame 29-27, the Maroon & Gold lost the final three, 25-20, 25-16 and 25-17.

Whitten missed a double-double by two digs with eight on the afternoon.  She also had three aces, all coming in the Gaels first set win.   Freshman OH Theresa Harvey was responsible for 11.5 points with eight kills, nine digs and a career-best five blocks.  Sophomore MB Molly O'Shea also recorded double-digit points with seven kills and a season-high six blocks.

Sophomore S Nicole Tamburri recorded a double-double with 33 assists and 13 digs.  Junior libero Allison Nieters had 20 digs in the loss.

The Gaels travel to Baltimore, MD for a MAAC contest at Loyola University tomorrow afternoon.