NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball team dropped a four set decision to Western Michigan in non-conference action at the Hynes Center. A week after sweeping the University of Notre Dame, the Broncos dropped the first set 25-22 before rebounding 25-14 and 25-16 in the middle frames and holding off the Gaels by just two points in the finale.

The Gaels used the momentum of an electrified student section in the first set to build a 14-9 advantage. Western Michigan fought back within two points at 23-21 before sophomore MB Karly White's kill was followed by a Broncos attack error to give the Iona the set win. The visitors never trailed in the middle two sets.

The fourth set saw nine ties and seven lead changes including the final tie at 23-23. The Broncos rallied to earn the final two points of the match to secure the win.

Senior OH Catrina Warren had a team-best 16 kills to go along with 14 digs and two blocks. White added nine kills while hitting .412 for the match and also had two blocks. Senior MB Shannon Ward netted seven kills for the Gaels in the defeat. Junior setter Natalie Ziskin added 33 assists while senior libero Katie Marabella had 19 digs.

Michigan State was led by OH Alysia Baznik's 17-kill, 10-dig double-double. MB Sydney LeMay added 12 kills and four blocks. Setter Lexie Pawlik posted 43 assists and eight digs while libero Caroline Rose had a match-high 19 digs.

The Gaels begin MAAC play this weekend with a pair of matches with the league's Connecticut schools. Iona travels to Fairfield Saturday and Quinnipiac Sunday.