NEW ROCHELLE, NY - In its 2021 home opener, the Iona College volleyball team started conference play with an impressive three-set sweep over Manhattan. Freshman
Nerin Valasakos, sophomore
Jen Soto and senior
Cassandra Patsos led the way offensively with a combined 25 of the Gaels 39 kills.
Iona jumped out quickly in the first set as it led 10-2, with two kills by Soto in the run. The Gaels built off the quick start and extended their lead to 21-9 and closed out set one with a Patsos kill and a 25-14 win.
The Gaels continued to hold momentum, jumping out to a quick 9-1 lead in set two, as multiple kills by Valasakos and Patsos propelled them during the span. Manhattan responded and closed the deficit to 11-6 midway through the second set. Iona answered with four straight points with the help of a junior
Samantha Juran ace, junior
Julia Thomas kill, pushing the Gaels lead to 15-6. The Maroon & Gold closed out the second set on a 7-0 run capped off by a sophomore
Tamara Pichardo ace, winning 25-18.
Iona posted double digit leads in each of the three sets, and continued its attack, getting off to another fast start with a 9-2 advantage to start set three. The Gaels had one more big run in them as they went on a 12-2 spurt increasing the lead to 22-6. The final kill of the afternoon was secured by junior
Fleur Wiersma as the Gaels completed the sweep against Manhattan and improved to 1-0 in MAAC play.
UP NEXT
The Gaels continue MAAC play, returning to action Tuesday night at 7 p.m. against Rider at the Hynes Center.
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