BUFFALO, NY - The Iona College volleyball team came back from a set down on two occasions in a thrilling five-set win over Canisius in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Koessler Center. The Gaels (12-6, 6-2 MAAC) completed its third straight match against a MAAC leading team, picking up their second victory.

The Golden Griffins (10-10, 6-2 MAAC) took the first set 25-16. The Gaels battled back with a 25-22 second set win before dropping the third 25-20. The Maroon & Gold handed Canisius a defeat by the same score in the fourth set and won the deciding frame 15-12.

Senior MB Colleen Genett posted 13 kills with a .545 hitting percentage to lead the Gaels. She added a team best five assisted blocks. Her classmate, MB Rachel Whitten recorded 12 kills with three assisted blocks and two aces to match Genett's team best 15.5 points. Sophomore OH Theresa Harvey also recorded 12 kills while rookie OH Alicja Pawelec posted 10. Freshman RS Kelsey Hess came off the bench for the Gaels and recorded a career-high with nine blocks and four assisted blocks. Hess had her first collegiate double-digit point effort with 11.0 in the victory.

Iona's setter tandem of senior Alyssa Erickson and junior Nicole Tamburri combined for 51 assists, 15 digs, four blocks and three aces. Erickson was responsible for 27 helpers while Tamburri recorded 24 in relief. Defensively, senior libero Allison Nieters had her eighth match in 18 contests with 20 or more kills with a team-best 26. Senior DS Laura Fojanesi posted 11 digs, her sixth double-digit effort of the season.

Canisius' Samantha Good posted a match high 19 kills while teammate Emily Elek added 15. Libero Allyson Severyn had 35 digs, the highest total for an Iona opponent this season.

The Gaels return to the Metropolitan area in a split conference weekend next Saturday and Sunday. The Gaels host Siena at the Hynes Center on Oct. 16 before traveling to Manhattan to take on the Jaspers on Oct. 17.