NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University volleyball team rallied from a set down twice, before earning a thrilling five-set (22-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-14, 16-14) victory over Niagara on Sunday afternoon at the Hynes Center. Trailing 14-11 in the final-set, the Gaels fought off three consecutive match-points before closing the match on a kill from Elena Bianchi sealing Iona's fourth straight win.

Mackenzie Wiggins, Nerin Valasakos, and Tamara Pichardo each recorded double-doubles for Iona powering the Gaels to the come from behind victory and their ninth straight home victory, dating back to last season.

Match SUMMARY

Set 1 (22-25)

Tied at 10, the Gaels managed to create separation, sparked by a 9-2 run that included three aces from Samantha Juran. Wiggins continued to pace the offense and her fifth kill of the opening frame, gave Iona a 21-14 advantage. However, Niagara responded and closed the opening set on a 11-1 run, giving the Purple Eagles the first-set.

Set 2 (25-21)

Niagara continued to put the pressure on, but after trailing 16-11, Iona used a timely 7-1 run to climb back into the second set. Fueled by five kills, the momentum changing stretch gave Iona they're second lead of the set at 18-17. Consecutive kills from Valasakos gave Iona some breathing room and leading 24-21, Wiggins got the Gaels on the board with a kill to even up the match.

Set 3 (20-25)

After trading points to start the third, Niagara managed to open a 9-5 lead but Iona countered winning seven of the following nine points. Kills from Bianchi, Jen Soto and Wiggins helped bring the set to a tie at 15-15, but the Purple Eagles rattled off four straight points to retake control. Valasakos added a late kill to cut the deficit to 20-18, but Niagara closed out the third set winning five of the final seven points to retake the lead.

Set 4 (25-14)

Propelled by a match-high 16 kills and .371% hitting percentage, the Gaels came out firing in the fourth set, jumping out a 9-1 lead. The advantage stretched to 10 following a kill from Binachi but Niagara managed to climb back into the set with four straight points. Back-to-back kills from Wiggins and Valasakos ended the Purple Eagles run and a few points later, Fleur Wiersma pushed the lead back to double-figures on a kill. Leading 23-14, Valasakos and Bianchi closed out the frame with consecutive kills to bring the match to a deciding fifth-set.

Set 5 (16-14)

Despite falling behind 5-2 and later 10-6, the Gaels continued to claw their way back into the frame. Facing their toughest task down 14-11, Iona managed to fight off three match-points on two kills from Valasakos and an attack error. Leveled at 14, Valasakos recorded another clutch kill, giving Iona their first lead of the set and a match-point. Bianchi sealed the victory for the Maroon & Gold on a kill as Iona closed out the match winning the final five points to complete the thrilling victory.

STAT LEADERS

ON OFFENSE

• Wiggins finished with 19 digs and Valasakos recorded a new career-high with 14 kills in the victory. 
• Soto poured in a season-high 12 kills with Wiersma (12) and Bianchi (10) rounding the Gaels offensive attack.
• Tamara Pichardo (34) and Juran (25) combined for 59 of Iona's 66 assists in the win.

ON DEFENSE

• Leading the defensive efforts, Hope Matschner poured in a match-high 30 digs as the junior is now up to 391 digs for the season.
• Wiggins (17) Pichardo (16) Valasakos (15) each recorded double-figures in digs. 

UP NEXT:

The Gaels will look to go for their fifth straight win on Wednesday, October 5 on the road against Saint Peter's. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 pm.

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