NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona College volleyball program earned an impressive five-set (20-25, 25-15, 25-22, 21-25, 15-11) victory over already clinched MAAC regular season champion Fairfield Stags at the Hynes Center on Friday night. The win marks the Gaels first victory over the Stags since the 2018 season when Iona knocked off Fairfield in the MAAC semifinals in straight sets. Sophomore Hope Matschner poured in a new career-high 34 digs helping the Maroon & Gold improve to 9-17 overall and 7-10 in MAAC play, with one game left to play.
 

The Match

Set 1 (20-25)

Twice in the opening set Iona trailed by four, 6-2 and then 13-9, but both times the Gaels responded winning the ensuing four points to even up the score. Junior Fleur Wiersma was all over the floor in the first frame pouring in four kills and five blocks and after a kill from senior Alessandra Brady, the score was deadlocked at 16. However, Fairfield answered winning five out of the next six points to open up a 21-18 advantage and moments later, leading 24-20 the Stags closed the opening frame on a kill to take the first set.
 

Set 2 (25-15)

Iona never trailed in the second frame, jumping out to a 9-4 advantage, with multiple kills from sophomore Jen Soto propelling the Gaels to the fast start. Aggressive playing from the Gaels helped force Fairfield into committing an uncharacteristic 10 errors in the second set as Iona extended the lead to 20-12. Leading 24-15, freshman Gia Skenderi closed out the set with an ace for the Gaels to even the match at a set apiece. 
 

Set 3 (25-22)

Both schools exchanged lead changes to start the third set and trailing 11-9, the Gaels went on a 5-0 run to open up a 14-11 lead, as they'd remain in front the rest of the way. Leading 20-18, Brady earned a point with a kill but the Stags answered winning four out of the next five points to level up the set at 22. However, two attack errors and a clutch kill from Brady on the following three points, gave Iona the set and a two sets to one advantage. 
 

Set 4 (21-25)

Looking to close out the match, Iona created a little separation from Fairfield leading 14-11 and then 18-14 after another kill from Wiersma, forcing the Stags to call a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Fairfield rallied to go on a 11-3 run to take the fourth set and force a deciding fifth set, marking the sixth time this season the Gaels have gone into a fifth and final set.
 

Set 5 (15-11)

The final set saw seven lead changes and eight ties and knotted up at 11, junior Julia Thomas broke the tie with the go-ahead kill for the Gaels. After an attack error from Fairfield, Brady and Soto ended the match for Iona with consecutive kills giving the Gaels the upset victory.
 

STAT LEADERS

ON OFFENSE:

Soto along with senior outside hitter Cassandra Patsos hit a team-high ten kills with Brady and Wierdma right behind them finishing with 9 respectively. Sophomore Emma Jacobs chipped in four kills and Thomas rounded up the atack for the Gaels with five kills on the night. Sophomore Tamara Pichardo and junior Samantha Juran controlled the offense, combining for 41 of the Gaels 46 assist. 

ON DEFENSE:

Along with Matschner, Brady chimed in a season-best 12 digs and Pichardo recorded 15 digs earning a double-double.

UP NEXT:

Wrapping up the regular season, Iona returns to play Sunday, November 14th for a senior day matchup at the Hynes Center against Quinnipiac. First serve is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
 

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