LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL - The second seeded Iona College volleyball team advanced to the championship game of the 2010 MAAC Championship with a 3-1 victory over the number three seeded Canisius Golden Griffs. The Gaels picked up the first set convincingly 25-15 before dropping the second set 25-21. The Gaels completed the match with set victories of 26-24 and 25-17 in sets three and four.

Freshman OH Alicja Pawelec was the Gaels' top scorer with 18 points on 18 kills, matching a season high. Senior MB Colleen Genett had 16 kills and three assisted blocks. Sophomore OH Theresa Harvey had 12 kills and a career high 20 digs for the Maroon & Gold.

Senior S Alyssa Erickson had 39 assists and seven digs. Senior libero Allison Nieters posted a team high 23 digs while senior RS Bethany Schornack added nine digs.

The Gaels will take on the number seed Niagara, who defeated Fairfield 3-1 in Friday's other semifinal matchup. The Gaels had reached the MAAC Championship game just once prior to today's victory. In 2004, Iona topped Fairfield to earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

SET SCORES                1  2  3  4  TEAM RECORDS
Canisius............ (1) 15 25 24 17  16-16
Iona College........ (3) 25 21 26 25  20-10