NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University volleyball team swept Siena 25-18, 25-16, 25-13 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Hynes Center. The Gaels picked up their third straight win improving to 7-5 in league play.

SET 1: IONA 25, SIENA 18

The Gaels took command of the opening set with three straight points to go ahead 10-7. The run was extended to 7-2 for a five point advantage at 14-9. Siena got within two at 20-18 but Iona scored the final five tallies to take the set. Sophomore Mackenzie Wiggins had four kills, junior Tamara Pichardo had 10 assists and senior Hope Matschner posted five digs.

SET 2: IONA 25, SIENA 16

Nine tie scores and seven lead changes highlighted the first 18 points of the match.  Tied at 9-9, Iona's 5-0 run created separation it would not relinquish. Wiggins and senior Morgan Madasz combined for had eight kills on 13 swings without an error, and junior Nerin Valasakos posted four kills as the Gaels hit .321 in the frame. Pichardo had 11 assists on the Gaels' 13 kills.

SET 3: IONA 25, SIENA 13

Iona never trailed and led for good at 6-5.  The Gaels had nine straight points at one point to build a 22-11 advantage. The Maroon & Gold had 19 kills and hit .378 led by four apiece from Madasz and freshman Ava DeGuzman. Pichardo added a dozen assists.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Wiggins led with 12 kills in the match and hit .407, while adding nine digs.
• Madaz hit .615 and had nine kills and a block.
• Valasakos contributed nine kills.
• Pichardo averaged 11 assists per set with her match high 33.  She recorded four digs, two kills, an ace, and a block.
• Matschner led with 13 digs.

THE OPPONENT

• Sara Wagner and Olga Sawinska had five kills apiece to lead the Saints.
• Oliwia Majtyka had eight assists.
• Wagner and Payton Hinkle each had a team-best six digs.

TEAM STATS

• Iona out hit Siena .337-.068, doubling up the Saints kill total 44-22.
• In two wins this weekend the margin was .332-.147 with a +36 advantage in kills.

AROUND THE MAAC

• The Gaels stand in fifth place with a 7-5 record with six matches remaining.
• Manhattan also earned a weekend sweep over Marist and Siena, coming back from down two sets vs. the Red Foxes Sunday afternoon.
• Fairfield swept Canisius and Niagara to remain a top the MAAC standings at 11-1.
• Quinnipiac split, falling to the Purple Eagles yesterday and are in second place.
• Niagara's split kept them a game ahead of the Gaels with the two teams set to battle in New Rochelle on the final day of the regular season.
• Iona sits one game ahead of Rider in the loss column following the Broncs win over their travel partner Saint Peter's.

UP NEXT

The Gaels hit the road for three matches next week beginning with a Wednesday evening tilt at Quinnipiac.  

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