LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ - Playing in their final regular season road match, the Iona College volleyball program came up short in a four set (25-22, 22-25,15-25,17-25) loss to Rider in Alumni Gymnasium. Despite claiming the first set from the Broncs, and having a late lead in the second, the Gaels unfortunately couldn't regather their rhythm offensively, and slow starts in the final two frames hurt Iona's chances to force a final set.
 

The Match

Set 1 (25-22)

For the 12th time this season Iona took the opening set, as they were able to edge out Rider late in the frame. Tied at 9, the Gaels used an impressive 10-3 run to open up a six point advantage, with kills from sophomore Emma Jacobs, freshman Nerin Valasakos, and senior Cassandra Patsos during this stretch. Rider responded winning the ensuing six points, bringing the set dead locked at 19. A kill from sophomore Jen Soto on the following point gave Iona the lead for good and leading 24-21 Patsos ended the set with a kill to give Iona a one set advantage. Iona had it's best hitting set in the opener with a set-best 12 kills on only 3 attacking errors.

Set 2 (22-25)

Trying to regroup Rider took a quick 5-2 lead but Iona answered winning the next four points taking advantage of three consecutive attack errors from the Broncs followed by a kill from junior Fleur Wiersma. With both schools exchanging mini-runs throughout Iona took a 19-15 advantage after a kill from Valasakos, however Rider answered winning six out of the next seven points to retake the lead. Consecutive kills from Soto brought Iona within two points of winning the set but Rider closed it out winning the final four points of the set to even the match up.

Set 3 (15-25)

Carrying momentum, Rider opened up a 12-3 lead to start the third set pouring in seven kills. Trying to claw themselves back from the deficit, Iona came within five at 15-10, after a kill from Jacobs. Unfortunately the fast start was too much for the Maroon & Gold to overcome and leading 24-15, Anilee Sher closed out the set for Rider with a kill. 

Set 4 (17-25)

Continuing to stay hot offensively, Rider started the fourth set on a 12-2 run and soon after extended the lead to 15-3. The Gaels battled and after a kill from Soto the lead was cut down to eight at 18-10, but once again the fast pace start was too much to come back from and leading 24-17, Rider closed out the match on an Iona attack error giving the Broncs the four set home victory. 
 

STAT LEADERS

ON OFFENSE:

Soto and Patsos led the Gaels offensively with eight kills each with Valasakos pouring in six, and Wiersma and Jacobs hitting four kills each in the loss. Sophomore Tamara Pichardo added a team-high 25 assist marking the fifth consecutive match the setter had reached double-figures in assist. 

ON DEFENSE:

On defense, the Gaels were led by match-high 26 digs from sophomore Hope Matschner and Pichardo finished with 12, earning her second double-double on the weekend. 

UP NEXT:

The Gaels return home on Friday, Nov 12th, when they welcome first-place Fairfield into the Hynes Center. The match will be on ESPN+ with first serve scheduled for 7 p.m.

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