NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Trailing in the match 2-1, and in the fifth set 10-5, the Iona volleyball program earned its most thrilling win of the season Friday evening.  The Maroon & Gold defended its home court in a thrilling five-set come from behind against MAAC and neighborhood rival, Manhattan.

Iona went on a late 5-1 run in the first set to take a 20-18 lead.  After a Manhattan timeout, the Jaspers score three consecutive points to take the lead 21-20.  The Maroon & Gold came out of their own timeout and saw Manhattan expand their lead to three, but three Jaspers errors brought the game back to even at 23.  From that point the two MAAC rivals battled back-and-forth until 30-30 was reached.  An attack error gave Iona a 31-30 lead, and then the first set was finally secured with a kill from Gael sophomore Mia Bonsignore.

In addition to 11 assists, sophomore Emma Rose had a team-high five kills in the opening set.  Sophomore Claire Archibald had four kills and four digs.  Sophomore Jessica Paolucci started the match with eight digs in the opening set.

The Jaspers started the second set on a 4-1 run, and following an early timeout by the Gaels, Manhattan expanded its lead to 13-6.  The momentum would continue for the visitors as they'd go on to earn a decisive 25-13 second set decision.

Iona hit a mere -0.23 percent in the second set after rocking a 0.065 mark in the first.  Freshman Tess Connolly, Bonsignore and Archibald, combined for seven attack errors.

Behind a one-time strike and big-time block from senior Karly White, the Gaels opened up a 10-6 lead in the third set.  Manhattan answered with a 6-2 run to tie the set a 12, and after trading points, Iona called a timeout trailing 20-18.  Despite late kills from junior Shaina Campbell and Archibald, Manhattan closed out the set with a kill from senior Milena Janjusevic.

Campbell had a team-high three kills in the third set.  Archibald, Darnaby, and Connolly each chipped in two.

Manhattan jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the fourth set.  Iona countered after an early timeout to tie the game at five.  Rose stepped up to serve with the Gaels trailing 12-9, and after an ace and a series of attack errors by the Jaspers, Iona gained 13-12 edge.  From that point on the Maroon & Gold would dominate and eventually end up forcing the fifth and final set, 25-15.

Trailing 10-5 in the fifth set, White took it upon herself to bring the Gaels back in it.  Behind a pair of the senior's kills, Iona got back to within one, forcing the Jaspers to take a timeout.  The momentum did not stop for the Maroon & Gold.  Freshman Alexandra Russo stepped up to serve and scored three straight points for Iona, giving them a 14-12 edge.

Manhattan earned the serve back and tied the game at fourteen, but after Darnaby pummeled her fourth kill of the game, Rose served in an ace to officially put the icing on the cake.

Connolly finished with a career-high 15 kills and 12 digs, her first career double-double performance.  Rose had a team-high 32 assists, and Paolucci ended with 20 digs.  She was one of five Gaels who recorded double-digit digs.  White had a career day with 12 kills, and a personal best 10 blocks.

The win gives Iona a 3-9 record in MAAC play.  The Maroon & Gold host the Rider Broncs on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 PM.