LAWRENCEVILLE, NY – The Iona College volleyball program dropped its Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opening match against Rider University on Saturday afternoon. The Broncs defeated the Gaels in Alumni Gymnasium in straight sets, 23-25, 19-25, 18-25.

MATCH RECAP

The first set did not start smooth for either team. Iona had an early 8-6 lead despite just one kill. In that time, the broncs had three service errors and two reception errors. However, the home team ended up hitting its stride and the Maroon & Gold dropped the first set, 25-23. Iona finished with five service errors in the set and the Broncs finished the game hitting .262.
 
Rider on the second set 25-19 due in large part to a six-point run in the middle of game to pull ahead, 18-10 at the team. Both the Gaels and Broncs had 14 kills, but the Broncs hit .275 compared to .159 for the Gaels.
 
The closing of the match came with the Rider Broncs using a 6-1 run to win the third set, 25-18. The Gaels did trail at one point 14-9, but did really to get within two points before the late Rider push. Iona had a match-low nine kills in the final third set.

NOTABLE NUGGETS

• Junior Jamie Smith led Iona and all teams with 13 kills and two blocks. She also had one of the Maroon & Gold's two aces, the other coming from redshirt senior Jessica Paolucci. Both of Iona's service aces came in the opening moments of the first set.
• Senior Tess Connolly had 14 digs to lead the Gaels. Paolucci had 13 digs and junior Taylor Cole contributed eight digs.
• Rookie Samantha Juran had 13 assists and sophomore Maile Powell came in during the match and finished with 12 helpers. Paolucci had four helpers from the libero position.
• Rider's Morgan Romano had a team-leading 12 kills, four aces and three blocks. Rider's Anilee Sher had 33 assists and Rachelle Runyon had 23 digs.
• Saturday marked the first time Iona volleyball was swept by Rider since Sept. 9, 2015. The Broncs have now won six of the last seven versus Iona.
• This is the first time Iona has been swept in MAAC play since Canisius defeated the Maroon & Gold in New Rochelle on October 7, 2017.

AROUND THE MAAC

• Canisius fell to in five sets at the University at Buffalo.
• Quinnipiac lost to Siena in Loudonville, NY in five sets.
• Saint Peter's won on the road at Manhattan in four sets.
• Kent State defeated Niagara in Cleveland, OH in five sets.

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold continue MAAC play tomorrow, Sunday, Sept. 22, against Saint Peter's University. The Gaels and Peacocks serve up from the Yanitelli Center at 1 p.m. Follow Iona via live stats or live video.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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