POUGHKEEPSIE, NY - The Iona University volleyball team made a valiant comeback attempt in a five-set defeat at Marist in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference at McCann Arena. After dropping the first two sets and facing match point in the third, the Gaels rallied to even the match at 2-2 before a 16-14 fifth set loss. Sophomore Mackenzie Wiggins had 16 kills to lead the visitors.

SET 1 (MARIST 25, IONA 21)

Iona opened a four-point advantage at 13-9. Marist chipped away with a 7-3 run to tie the score at 16-16. The run extended to 13-4 and a five-point advantage the Gaels could not recover. Wiggins led with three kills, and senior Hope Matschner had seven digs to lead the Maroon & Gold.

SET 2 (MARIST 25, IONA 11)

The home team jumped out to leads of 6-1 and 12-2 and ran away with the second set. Freshman Ezzie Thompson was the lone Gael with multiple kills. Matschner and senior Nerin Valasakos each had five digs in the frame.

SET 3 (IONA 26, MARIST 24)

Iona recovered early from the second set and led 7-2. Marist chipped away again, eventually knotting the score at 15-15. After the Gaels led 23-20, Marist scored four straight to set up a potential match point. The Maroon & Gold rallied for three straight points to take the set, all scored by Pichardo who recorded a kill and two aces to end the frame. Wiggins had four kills, Matschner had nine digs. For Pichardo, her three key points on the final three rallies were her only ones of the set.

SET 4 (IONA 25, MARIST 20)

Nine ties and three lead changes highlighted the early part of the fourth set. Iona took the lead for good at 15-14. Marist got within one for the final time at 17-16 before the Gaels pulled away for the 25-20 win. Wiggins exploded for seven kills and Pichardo had assists on all 16 of the Maroon & Gold's kills in the set.

SET 5 (MARIST 16, IONA 14)

Prior to the decisive final two points by the Red Foxes, the Gaels trailed only one other time at 7-6. Iona had a chance to steal a key road win at match point, leading 14-13 but three straight kills by Marist's Jordan Newblatt led to the home team holding on. Seniors Jen Soto and Greta Stjade joined Wiggins with two kills in the set. Pichardo again assisted on all of Iona's kills with seven.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Wiggins added three blocks to her 16 kills and had a team-best 17.5 points. She also had eight digs.
• Thompson posted nine kills and three blocks (10.5 points)
• Stjade had 10 points on seven kills, two aces and two blocks along with nine digs.
• Soto had a match-high five blocks.
• Pichardo posted 30 assists and seven digs.
• Matschner had 29 digs and was 42-for-42 on service receptions.

THE OPPONENT

• Newblatt recorded 22 kills and 20 digs with two aces and two blocks.
• Sasha van der Merwe posted 19 kills and 14 digs.
• Setter Claire Lewis had 57 assists and 14 digs.

UP NEXT

The Gaels continue their road trip tomorrow at Siena with a 2 p.m. first serve.

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