NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball opened up the home portion of the 2017 schedule this evening with a 3-0 setback to non-conference foe Central Connecticut State (19-25, 18-25, 20-25) inside the Hynes Center.

Freshman Jamie Smith continued her all-around play for the Maroon & Gold (2-8) by posting 15 digs, nine kills and seven assists along with three block assists in her Hynes Center debut. Meanwhile, Claire Archibald was the lone Gael to reach double-digit kills with 10 in addition to eight digs and two service aces. Emma Rose set the offense with 28 assists while Tess Connolly finished with 10 digs and six kills. 

The Blue Devils (7-3) ended the match with a team .250 hitting percentage as Samantha McCreath led the team with 10 kills on 24 attempts. She also added eight digs and two block assists. Maddie Smith helped Central Connecticut reach seven team blocks by being part of five of the rejections at the net, four assisted and one solo. Lindsey Massicotte added a team-best 12 digs.

The visitors posted the best hitting percentage set of the night in the opener, finishing with 13 kills on a .379 percentage. Despite Archibald netting two service aces in the first four points to give Iona an early 4-1 advantage, the Blue Devils rallied to claim their first lead at 13-12 follow a McCreath kill. Central Connecticut claimed the lead for good two points later to go on to a 25-19 win that included scoring five of the final six points.

Three straight kills for the Blue Devils, including two from Raquel Quirarte, created a 8-3 lead in the second set before Iona rallied to come within one one three occasions, 11-10, 12-11 and 14-13. Central Connecticut, however, came on late by finishing the set on an 11-5 run including the final five points. Quirarte put forth an ace as part of the final three points in addition to a kill from McCreath and an Iona attacking error to close out the 25-18 win. 

A late 5-0 run from the Blue Devils generated a 22-16 advantage late in the third set. The Gaels efforted a final push at match-point with Shaina Campbell and Smith coming up with a block before Rose recorded a service ace. However, the three-game victory was meant to be for Central Connecticut as Quirarte closed out the evening with sixth and final kill.

The Maroon & Gold welcome reigning MAAC Champion Fairfield to the Hynes Center on Saturday for match two of this three-match homestand before hosting Quinnipiac on Sunday. Both matches are scheduled for a 1:00 pm start.