RIVERDALE, NY – The Iona College volleyball program began the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference season with a dominant sweep over Manhattan on Saturday afternoon. The Gaels won in straight sets (25-11, 27-25, 25-13) behind a career-best effort from freshman Cassandra Patsos and the steady excellence of senior Claire Archibald.

In the quick three-set match, Patsos put together 13 points, 11 kills and three blocks. She had a .444 hitting percentage in addition to two assists. Archibald finished with a match-best 17 points on 12 kills, four service aces and two blocks. She also had eight digs, tying for a team-best with redshirt junior Jessica Paolucci.

Freshman Jamie Smith had six kills, four digs, and one block. Junior Tess Connolly and senior Mia Bonsignore each had five kills. Senior Emma Rose finished with 35 assists, two aces and six digs.

Iona doubled-up Manhattan in total points scored in the match. The Jaspers had just 19 kills on a 0.099 hitting percentage. Iona induced eight reception errors and where the benefactor of 12 Manhattan attack errors.

The Gaels won the first set 25-11. They had a 19-3 positive kill discrepancy and the Jaspers had an exactly .000 hitting percentage. The second set drew on to a 27-25 decision due in large part to eight Maroon & Gold service errors. Iona hit a match-worst .133 but managed to secure the set. The final game saw the Gaels rebound with a match-best .450 hitting percentage.

Iona's next match is in a week on Saturday, Sept. 22 against Quinnipiac. First serve is set up for 1 p.m. in Hamden, CT.

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