NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University volleyball team earned a four-set victory (16-25, 25-22, 25-22, 25-17) against Providence College to begin the 2022 season. After dropping the first set, the Gaels bounced back, winning the final three sets led by a match-high 40 digs from
Hope Matschner and a double-double by
Mackenzie Wiggins in her debut after missing last season due to injury. With tonights victory, head coach
Andy Mueller earned his first win as a Gael.
Match SUMMARY
Set 1 (16-25)
Using momentum from their victory early in the day against CCSU, Providence got off to a fast start leading 13-5. After the Gaels called timeout
Jen Soto recorded back-to-back kills to trim into the deficit but the Friars answered with consecutive points to push the lead back to eight. Trailing 16-9, Wiggins tallied her fourth kill of the opening frame but Providence managed to go on a 8-2 run to take control of the first set.
Set 2 (25-22)
Trailing 14-12 in the second set, Iona used a momentum turning 5-0 run that gave the Gaels their first lead of the evening.
Fleur Wiersma contributed with four of her 10 kills coming in the set. After another kill from Soto Iona took a 19-16 lead but the Friars battled back, winning six out of the next nine points to even the set at 22 apiece. The Gaels however closed out the frame with three consecutive kills from
Greta Stjade,
Morgan Madasz and Soto to even the match at a set apiece.
Set 3 (25-22)
The Gaels opened the third, rattling off the first six points taking advantage of three attack errors from the Friars and an ace from
Emma Vu. Leading 8-5, kills from Matschner, Wiggins and Stjade extended the Gaels lead to six. However the Friars responded with a 6-1 run to tie the set up at 19 but a kill from Wiggins and an ace from Vu put the Gaels in front for good. Leading 24-22, Wiggins capped off the set with a kill to give Iona a two sets to one advantage.
Set 4 (25-17)
Iona managed to create separation early in the fourth and in front 11-5,
Julia Thomas rallied off a kill forcing Providence to burn a timeout. Following the break Madasz extended the lead to eight with a kill and the lead stretched out to as much as 13 after a Providence attack error. Leading 24-17, Vu closed out the match for the Gaels with a kill to give Iona a home victory to begin the season.
STAT LEADERS
ON OFFENSE
Four Gaels finished with nine or more kills with Wiggins's match-high 13, Wiersma adding 10 and Soto and Stjade with nine apiece. Sam Juran passed out 25 assists with Vu pouring out 14 helpers in her debut.
ON DEFENSE
Matschner recorded a new career-high with 40 digs to kick off her 2022 season. The junior's 40 digs are the most in a game from a Gael since 2015, when Jessica Paolucci recorded 41 against Saint Peter's..
UP NEXT:
The Gaels will play two matches tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. against Holy Cross and 6:30 p.m. versus Central Connecticut State in the tournament's final game at the Hynes Center. Both matches will be streamed on Iona Insider.
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