NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The Iona University volleyball team earned a second straight, dramatic reverse sweep in a five-set win over Canisius at the Hynes Center. With the win, the Gaels clinched a berth into next weekend's MAAC Championship and can finish as high as fourth place in the standings with a positive result on Sunday. After dropping the first two sets, the Maroon & Gold stormed back in the next two and came from behind in the decider to earn the win. Four Gaels posted double-doubles Saturday in New Rochelle.
SET 1: CANISIUS 25, IONA 23
The Golden Griffins led from the opening point and took its largest lead at 18-11. Iona stormed back to within one at 24-23 but the visitors held on for the two-point set win. Sophomore
Mackenzie Wiggins led with four kills, senior libero
Hope Matschner had seven digs and combined with setters
Samantha Juran and
Emma Vu for the Maroon & Gold's 14 assists in the frame.
SET 2: CANISIUS 25, IONA 15
After seven tie scores and four lead changes, it was even for the final time at 10-10 and the final lead change came a point earlier. Canisius pulled away with an 11-2 run to win the set by 10. Freshman
Ezzie Thompson had three kills and Matschner added 10 digs to lead the home team.
SET 3: IONA 25, CANISIUS 17
Much like the first set win for the Griffs, Iona led from the first point and led 4-0 and 6-1 early. Canisius closed within a point on several occasions, the last at 17-16. The Gaels closed it out with an 8-1 run, including the final four points to cut their deficit in the match in half. Five Gaels had multiple kills with seniors
Morgan Madasz and
Jen Soto posting three apiece. Vu, Juran, and Matschner combined for 13 assists and the team's 13 kills while the Iona libero added to her match total with eight digs.
SET 4: IONA 25, CANISIUS 21
A momentum driven fourth set saw large runs by both teams, with Iona's final effort being the difference. Canisius took an early 7-4 advantage. It was quickly erased by the Gaels at the start of a 13-3 run that put the home team ahead 17-10. The Griffs battled back with a 10-1 run of their own and led 20-18. The Maroon & Gold scored eight of the final nine points to win the set 25-21. Wiggins was 5-for-7 on attack attempts and rookie
Ava DeGuzman posted four kills for Iona. Sophomore
Rose Porter posted 10 digs in the match-evening effort.
SET 5: IONA 16, CANISIUS 14
The most hotly contested set came in the deciding frame. Eight tie scores and four lead changes highlighted the race to 15. With the score tied at 5-5, Canisius scored five straight and looked on its way to holding on to the important win for each squad. A 7-2 Iona run with five straight points evened the game at 12-12. The two teams traded side outs and the Griffs had match point at 14-13. A Canisius serve error and back-to-back kills by DeGuzman led to the Gaels completing the reverse sweep comeback.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Wiggins and Soto each had 13 kills to lead the Gaels.
- Wiggins added seven digs and four blocks for her team-high 16.0 points.
- Soto hit a team-best .440 with two blocks, splitting time between the middle and on the right side.
- DeGuzman posted a 12-kill, 22 dig double-double. The dig total was a career-high for the first-year performer.
- Madasz posted 10 kills, four digs and a block.
- Thompson added nine kills and three blocks.
- Vu had a team-high 29 assists and added career-best 14 digs for her first collegiate double-double.
- Juran added 19 assists and 15 digs. She enters her final regular season contest tomorrow with 1,999 career assists.
- Matschner posted her second collegiate double-double and first as a libero with 32 digs and a career-best 10 assists. Her other double-double came as a freshman during the 2020-21 campaign. Matschner is also approaching a significant milestone, ending today's match with 1,998 career digs.
- Porter had 12 digs in her back row position and added an ace.
THE OPPONENT
- Kara Zaucha (15), Lauren Hubert (12), and Ella Loussia (11) each had double-digit kill totals.
- Zaucha (16) and Loussia (16) completed double-doubles.
- Libero Jillian Hanna had 30 digs and five aces.
- Setter Ella Bourque had 41 assists.
- Kalia Reisma posted eight blocks.
UP NEXT
Iona finishes the 2023 regular season at home on senior day vs. Niagara and will recognize the program's eight seniors prior to the match beginning at 1 p.m.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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