FAIRFIELD, CT - The Iona College volleyball team dropped three matches this weekend at the SHU Hampton Inn Shelton Invitational at Sacred Heart's Pitt Center. The Gaels went the distance with the the host before falling by three points in the fifth set to the Pioneers to open action. It was followed by three-set defeats to Hartford last night and Rhode Island this morning. Senior MB Shannon Ward was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance in the three contests.

Sacred Heart took the first match 25-16, 19-25, 25-20, 20-25 and 15-12. Senior RS Taylor Cembalisty led the Gaels with 19 kills and 10 digs in her second double-double of the season. Cembalisty hit .417 for the match with four errors on 36 attempts and had a block and an ace. Senior OH Catrina Warren had her third straight double-double with 13 kills and a Gael season-high 20 digs. Ward hit .533 with eight kills on 15 attempts while adding seven blocks, four digs and an ace. Rookie OH Kassandra Darnaby had season-bests eight kills and 13 digs. Junior setter Natalie Ziskin posted 47 assists with six digs and three blocks in the loss.

Sacred Heart's Sarah Krufka led with 27 kills and 12 digs. Setter Alisa Mesa had a 35-assist, 10-dig double-double while Lila Palmer was the third Pioneer with a double-double with 10 kills and 13 digs.

Hartford defeated Iona in straight sets in the nightcap Friday 25-22, 25-20 and 25-15. Warren and Cembalisty had nine kills a piece with eight and six digs respectively. Ziskin had 23 assists and seven digs while senior libero Katie Marabella had a team-high 12 digs and Daraby added 11. Sophomore MH Karly White posted four kills and four blocks in the loss.

The Hawks were led by 12 kills each from Sareeta Nethersole and Katy Henchy. Setter Jackie Tamburri posted 38 assists and 14 digs.

Iona completed action Saturday morning with a 19-25, 31-33, 14-25 defeat to unbeaten Rhode Island. Ward led with 10 kills and a .350 hitting percentage. Warren had nine kills and eight digs, Cembalisty posted six kills and 12 digs while White added six kills and six blocks. Ziskin had 33 assists and five digs with three kills on four attempts. Marabella posted 19 digs in the loss.

The Maroon & Gold is back in action next weekend when they host La Salle, Hartford and Bryant in a round-robin tournament at the Hynes Center.