NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball team won a five set thriller from previously first place Canisius at in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Hynes Center. After dropping their first seven five-set affairs this season, the Gaels pulled off one of their biggest wins of the season.

In the first set, the Gaels faced a 24-22 deficit but scored the final four points to steal the frame 26-24. Junior Alicja Pawelec ended the rally with a kill and then the set with a service ace just inside the touch line.

Canisius earned a 25-21 win in the second set. The visitors never trailed after taking an 11-10 advantage. The Gaels got to within one on several occasions but with the score 22-21, Canisius tallied the final three points to earn the win.

Iona struggled to find a groove in the third set and lost 25-14. An 8-1 run in the middle of the frame was all the Griffs needed.

The fourth set started an epic comeback for the home team and a dominant performance by Pawelec. Iona took a 17-16 lead and never looked back. Pawelec posted nine of her match high 25 kills in the frame including five of Iona's final seven points in the 25-19 win.

Canisius was the first to the eight point mark in the deciding set, holding a slim 8-7 advantage. A 7-3 run gave the Maroon & Gold match point at 14-11. The Golden Griffins rallied for the next four points to earn match point of their own. Down 16-15, sophomores Taylor Cembalisty and Catrina Warren recorded back-to-back kills and then blocked the final point of the match to seal the thrilling win.

Pawelec hit .312 and matched her career-high with 25 kills. Her previous 25-kill output came against Canisius the last time they came to the Hynes Center on Sep. 18, 2011. She added 15 digs for her 11th double-double of the season.

Warren had a strong match with 15 kills, 10 digs, four blocks and three aces. Cembalisty posted seven kills with three digs and three blocks while junior Madisyn Spence had seven kills and 11 digs.

In addition to Iona's three hitters with 10+ digs, senior libero Theresa Harvey and sophomore DS Katie Marabella posted 18 and 14 digs respectively.

Sophomore Caris Myles and freshman Natalie Ziskin split time at the setter position. It was Myles who sealed the game in the final two sets. Myles posted 35 assists and nine digs while Ziskin had 19 assists and five digs.

Canisius was led by Samantha Good's 24 kills and four blocks. Logan Sulongga had 13 kills, while Jessica Warner recorded a double-double with 10 kills and 17 digs. Libero Allyson Severyn had 38 digs and settter Sydney Palka posted 54 assists.

Iona completes the 2012 campaign tomorrow afternoon against defending MAAC Champion Niagara at the Hynes Center on Senior Day at 2:00 pm.  The Gaels will honor the careers of Harvey and classmate Stephanie Roco.