CHARLESTON, IL – The Iona College split a doubleheader on the first day of the 2018 season. The Gaels fell to Valparaiso in the early afternoon before handling business against Saint Francis (PA) in the nightcap. Senior Claire Archibald recorded career dig number 1,000 in Iona's second match against Saint Francis (PA).

MATCH 1: VALPARAISO 3, IONA 0 (25-19, 27-25, 25-8)
Archibald began the 2018 season with a double-double. She was Iona's lone attacker to obtain double-digit kills with a match-high 16 kills on a .250 attack percentage. Archibald had 10 digs along with junior Tess Connolly, who chipped in with nine kills. Redshirt junior Jessica Paolucci had a match-best 20 digs in her first game since 2016.

Rookie Cassandra Patsos played in two sets and had four kills in nine attempts. Fellow freshman Alessanda Brady made her collegiate debut and had three points records in five attempts. Additionally, junior Julia Stewart kicked off her Maroon & Gold career.

Senior Emma Rose passed 38 of Iona's 40 assists. Sophomore Jamie Smith had the other two helpers.

Valparaiso had a .321 attack percentage as a team, including an error-free, match-best .480 in the final third set. Both the Gaels and Crusaders had 40 kills and 51 digs, but the Maroon & Gold were bested in service aces and blocks by a wide margin.

For Valparaiso, Katherine Carlson and Peyton McCarthy each had eight kills. Brittany Anderson and Rylee Cookerly combined for five aces. McCarthy was a menace at the net with seven blocks.

MATCH 2: IONA 3, SAINT FRANCIS (PA) 0 (25-19, 25-14, 25-22)
The Gaels were paced by the MAAC Preseason Co-Player of year in their win over the Red Flash. Archibald recorded her second straight double-double with a team-best 11 kills and 11 digs. She contributed 11.5 points with a block assist.

Senior Mia Bonsignore and junior Karla Johnson each had five block assists patrolling the middle. Johnson chipped in eight kills and finished the match with 10.5 points, matching that of Connolly.

The Gaels began the sweep winning the first set 25-19. Iona used two separate 5-1 runs to pull away from the Red Flash. Johnson and Bonsignore combined for nine kills on thirteen attempts to pace the Maroon & Gold.

The second set saw the outside hitters make more of an impact. Archibald and Connolly hit 80% in their attacking chances and recorded eight total kills. Archibald dug out five Saint Francis (PA) attempts and Bonsignore had five blocks in the second set. Paolucci recorded all of her match-high three service aces in the game, as well.

With her 1,000th career dig being recorded in the second set, Archibald became just the 13th player in program history to reach that career mark. She currently ranks 11th all-time in Gaels program history.

The Red Flash hit -.030 in the third and decisive set. The Gaels didn't fare much better hitting .111, but Archibald's four kills proved just enough to secure a final 25-22 decision.

Rose finished the match with a match-best 27 assists. No Saint Francis (PA) player had more than nine assists.

The Red Flash were led by Nicole Adams' 11 kills and lone ace. Sophie Rice had six blocks and Jess Barrett had seven digs.

The Maroon & Gold return to action tomorrow, Sunday, Aug. 26 against host Eastern Illinois at 1 PM.

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