PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Iona University volleyball team split a pair of non-conference matches at the 2023 Cherry and White Challenge hosted by Temple University. The Gaels (1-2) swept LIU in three sets to open the day before dropping their night cap in five sets to Lehigh.

IONA 3, LIU 0:

The Maroon & Gold won its first match of the 2023 campaign, sweeping the Sharks 26-24, 25-17, 25-20.
 
Sophomore outside hitter Mackenzie Wiggins recorded a double-double, the fifth of her career, with 15 kills and 10 digs. She hit .419 and added an ace for a 16.0 effort, her third highest single-match effort and career best for a three-set affair.
 
Graduate right side Morgan Madasz had eight kills and hit .545 while adding an ace. Senior middle blocker Jen Soto had four kills and five blocks. Senior setter Tamara Pichardo had 13 assists and recorded 6.5 points with a kill, four aces and three blocks. Freshman outside hitter Sanem Bas also recorded four aces in her second collegiate appearance. Defensively, senior libero Hope Matschner recorded 12 digs.
 
The Gaels hit .245 as a team and recorded 12 aces, the second highest in a three-set match in the last six-plus seasons. It was only eclipsed by 13 aces vs. Manhattan in a three-set win at home in September 2021.

LEHIGH 3, IONA 2:

After leading the match 1-0 and 2-1, Lehigh stormed past the Gaels in the final frame which saw set scores of 25-15, 18-25, 25-18, 21-25 and 6-15.
 
Three Iona performers recorded double-digit kill totals led by Wiggins' 13. She added seven digs and a block and recorded 13.5 points.
 
Senior outside hitter Gretta Stjade led Iona with 14 points on 10 kills and four aces. She completed her first double-double as a Gael with 12 digs. It was the sixth of her collegiate career after transferring from Siena following her sophomore campaign.
 
Soto posted 12 kills and a .450 hitting percentage while adding a block. Freshman Buse Tinaz added seven kills and two blocks, Bas added another three aces.
 
Pichardo posted a team-high 23 assists along with seven digs and four aces. Sophomore setter Emma Vu had 14 assists.
 
Matschner led with 26 digs, a 5.2 per set average. Sophomore defensive specialist Rose Porter chipped in nine digs in the loss.
 
Iona recorded double-digit aces for the second straight match with 13, matching the second-highest single-match total in the last seven seasons. The Gaels posted 14 in a four-set win over Holy Cross last year.

UP NEXT:

The Gaels are back in action on Tuesday in their 2023 home opener when they host Hofstra at the Hynes Center.