BRONXVILLE, NY - After dropping the matches first two-sets, the Iona University volleyball program stormed back to win a thrilling five-setter (19-25, 16-25, 25-22, 25-19,15-12) against Marist. Heading into the match both teams were tied for second place in the MAAC standing, as the Gaels now improved their record to 9-3 in conference play and 14-8 overall.
Hope Matschner poured in a match-high 32 digs while
Mackenzie Wiggins poured in a double-double in the come from behind victory.
Match SUMMARY
Set 1 (19-25)
Kills from
Morgan Madasz, Wiggins and an ace from
Emma Vu guided Iona to a quick 5-0 start, forcing Marist to burn a timeout. Following the timeout, Iona managed to stretch the lead to 11-5, following a Red Foxes attack error, but Marist responded going on a 13-4 run to gain control of the opening frame. Kills from
Greta Stjade and
Elena Bianchi kept Iona within striking distance but Marist ended the set winning four out of the final five points.
Set 2 (16-25)
Carrying the momentum from the first-set, Marist opened up a 7-1 advantage that later stretched to 14-7. Following an ace from Vu and kills from Bianchi and Madasz, the Gaels climbed back into the contention, cutting the deficit to 14-11. Marist responded with a 6-1 stretch to regain control of the second set and leading 24-16, an Iona attack error, gave Marist the two set advantage.
Set 3 (25-22)
Back-to-back aces from
Tamara Pichardo to begin the third gave Iona an early advantage that they wouldn't relinquish. A few points later, Iona used a 10-3 run to take command of the set, taking advantage of team-best in the match, 14 kills. Trailing 22-15, Marist won three consecutive points but a clutch kill from
Julia Thomas ended the run and now in front 24-20, Wiggins got Iona on the board with a kill to end the set.
Set 4 (25-19)
Marist struck first in the fourth, opening up a 5-1 lead but the Gaels answered with a 7-3 run to deadlock the frame. After Marist evened up the set at 11, Iona took control, using an 11-1 run to open up a double-digit lead. Aces from Pichardo along with kills from
Fleur Wiersma and Wiggins propelled the momentum changing run. Similar to the previous set, Marist responded winning five-straight points but the Gaels closed out the frame with back-to-back kills from Bianchi and Stjade to bring the match to a decider.
Set 5 (15-12)
Marist won the first four points of the final set but despite a slow start, the Gaels countered and after Thomas poured in a kill, the deciding set was leveled at 5. From there, both teams exchanged leads but two clutch swings from Madasz and Wiersma gave Iona some separation in the final moments. Now ahead 13-12, kills from Bianchi and Wiersma sealed the comeback victory for the Gaels, in the inaugural match at the Meyer Athletic Center in Bronxville.
STAT LEADERS
ON OFFENSE
- Wiggins (11) Stjade (11) and Madasz (11) all reached double-figures in kills in the win.
- Wiersma (7) Bianchi (6) and Thomas (6) rounded out the Gaels offensive attack.
- Pichardo (22) Samantha Juran (13) and Vu (9) combined for 44 of Iona's 49 assists
ON DEFENSE
- Thomas and Weirsma's seven blocks were both season-highs
- Matschner (32) Wiggins (12) and Stjade (9) rounded out the defensive efforts for the Gaels
UP NEXT:
The Gaels return to action tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 pm, for a matchup against Siena at the Meyer Athletic Center.
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