NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball program fell short in a five set match (24-26, 25-17, 25-21,16-25, 8-15) at home on Tuesday night to NJIT. Despite sophomore Kiarra Roth matching a career-high and new season-high with 14 kills, the Gaels still fall and drop to 7-14 overall on the season.
 

The Match

Set 1 (24-26)

In the opening frame, Iona came out firing on all cylinders, pouring in a set-high 19 kills with five different Gaels recording a point off kills. The efficient offensive attack put the Maroon & Gold in an opportunity to win the first set leading 20-15, but NJIT responded with a 9-1 run giving the Highlanders three set points. Trailing 24-21, Iona answered fighting off three set points after an attack error followed by two clutch kills from Roth bringing us dead locked at 24. NJIT capitalized on the ensuing two points, after an attack error and a service ace to close out a back-and-forth first set, 26-24.
 

Set 2 (25-17)

An impressive bounce back set for the Gaels followed, with Iona never trailing and jumping out to an 11-2 lead putting them in control for the remainder of the frame. Three kills from freshman outside hitter Nerin Valasakos and two from middle blocker junior Fleur Wiersma propelled Iona and leading 24-15 Roth added another kill to close out the frame evening us up at a set apiece. 
 

Set 3 (25-21)

 Iona trailed 4-1 to start, but quickly rattled off six straight points to put them in front for good, continuing their momentum from the second set. Iona took advantage of hitting a set-best .353 and had contributions from six different players recording kills. Senior Alessandra Brady took control of the set pouring in six of her seven kills in the third set, including one at set point with the Gaels leading 24-21 to close out the frame.
 

Set 4 (16-25)

NJIT flipped the script in the fourth set, hitting a match-best .556 to go along with 16 kills helping the Highlanders build a lead. On the other side the Gaels struggled in the frame with only six kills and an attacking percentage of .219. This led to NJIT closing out the fourth set on a kill from Ines Varela, bringing us to a decider. 
 

Set 5 (8-15)

Playing in a fifth set for the second time in three matches, Iona couldn't get anything going offensively, hitting a low of .045. NJIT led by a match-high 55 assist from Juilana Impaglia, remained efficient on the offensive side, posting eight kills on only one error in the final set. Leading 14-8, the Highlanders closed out the match on an Iona attack error to give them the victory and snap a 20 game skid.
 

STAT LEADERS

In the loss, senior outside hitter Cassandra Patsos posted her sixth double-double on the season with 10 kills and 12 digs. Valasakos and Wiersma finished with eight kills each and junior Samantha Juran continued to set the tone offensively, dishing out 41 assist. Sophomore setter Tamara Pichardo also contributed with 15 assist on the night.
Defensively, sophomore Hana Ekecs and freshman Julia Caruolo posted career-highs in digs with nine and seven respectively.  
 

UP NEXT

The Gaels will look to snap a four-game losing streak when they hit the road to face Niagara on Saturday, Oct 30. The match will be on ESPN3 and first serve is scheduled for 12 p.m.

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