LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - The Iona College volleyball team withstood an early surge from Rider in a four-set win over the Broncs in a quarterfinal round matchup at the 2010 MAAC Championship. After dropping the first set 25-16, the Gaels fell behind 23-21 in the second before four straight points sealed the frame and set wins in the final two (25-18, 25-14) sealed the match.

Senior MB Rachel Whitten posted a team best 11 kills and seven blocks. Sophomore OH Theresa Harvey recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs while rookie OH Alicja Pawelec and senior MB Colleen Genett posted nine and eight kills respectively in the win.

Sophomore S Alyssa Erickson also netted a double-double with 31 assists and 12 digs. She posted four blocks and two aces for the Maroon & Gold. Senior libero Allison Nieters led five players with 10 or more digs with 14. In addition to Erickson and Harvey, senior RS Bethany Schornack had 11 and senior DS Laura Fojanesi posted 10.

The No. 2 seeded Gaels advance to the semifinal round against No. 3 Canisius tomorrow night at 8:00 pm at HP Field House in Walt Disney's Wide World of Sports. The winner takes on No. 1 Niagara or No. 5 Fairfield in the championship game on Sunday. Both contests will be aired live on ESPN3.com 

SET SCORES                1  2  3  4
Rider............... (1) 25 23 18 14
Iona College........ (3) 16 25 25 25