JERSEY CITY, NJ - The Iona University Volleyball program earned their fifth straight victory after defeating Saint Peter's (20-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-13) on the road on Wednesday evening. Leading the defensive efforts,
Hope Matschner poured in a match-high 28 digs, helping the Gaels improve to 11-6 and 6-1 in MAAC play, equaling they're best start in conference play since 2018.
Match SUMMARY
Set 1 (20-25)
Despite falling behind early on, The Gaels used a 7-2 run to take their first lead of the night at 11-10.
Elena Bianchi,
Morgan Madasz, and
Greta Stjade each recorded kills during the stretch however, the Peacocks countered, taking advantage of several errors to open up a 20-14 lead. Madasz and
Makenna Casper both chipped in kills to cut the deficit to three, but leading 24-20, Saint Peter's closed out the set on an attack error to take the opening frame.
Set 2 (25-19)
The Gaels quickly answered in the second set, jumping out to an 11-4 lead powered by multiple kills from Stjade,
Jen Soto, and Bianchi. After an ace from Matschner the lead stretched to double-figures but after pulling within two points of the set leading 23-13, Saint Peter's managed to win the following six points to make matters more interesting down the stretch. However, Iona responded, taking advantage of consecutive attack errors to close out the set and even up the match at a set apiece.
Set 3 (25-13)
Led by a balanced offensive attack, Iona jumped out to a quick lead, taking a 7-0 advantage after
Nerin Valasakos recorded multiple kills and
Tamara Pichardo chipped in three aces. Similar to the second set, the Gaels wouldn't relinquish the lead and after another kill from Bianchi the advantage stretched to its largest of the match at 20-7. Leading 24-13,
Emma Jacobs pulled the Maroon & Gold within a set of the victory after hitting the Gaels match-best, 16th kill of the frame.
Set 4 (25-13)
Aiming to seize control of the fourth set, Soto, Jacobs, and Bianchi pushed the offense with kills, helping Iona open up a 10-5 lead. Continuing to be on the attack after dropping the first-set, Iona opened up another double-digit lead after
Julia Thomas and Jacobs poured in kills, both assisted by
Emma Vu. Pichardo's second kill of the night, set up Iona with a match-point and after an attack error from the Peacocks, the Gaels earned their 13th straight win over Saint Peter's.
STAT LEADERS
- Soto and Bianchi each recorded match-highs 11 kills and Stjade finished with eight kills. Madasz (5) Valasakos (4) and Jacobs (4) rounded out the offensive attack.
- Pichardo (23) and Samantha Juran (11) accounted for 34 of Iona's 46 assists in the win.
- Stjade (11) Pichardo (8) and Juran (5) all chipped in on the defensive side to go along with Matschner's match-best 28 digs.
UP NEXT:
The Gaels will travel up to Connecticut this weekend for matchups against Quinnipiac and first-place Fairfield. The Gaels will take on the Bobcats first on Saturday, October 6 and 1:00 pm.
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