NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University volleyball team earned a thrilling four-set win over Rider to open Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play at the Hynes Center. After trading set wins in the first two frames, the Gaels pulled out the third and fourth sets for the win. Three of the four sets were decided by the smallest of margins, just two points. Facing set point in the fourth, Iona erased a five-point deficit to earn the match victory. Freshman middle Ezzie Thompson posted a career-best 16 kills, graduate setter Samantha Juran flirted with a triple-double with 33 assists, 10 digs and seven aces, and senior libero Hope Matschner had 26 digs to lead the Gaels.

SET 1 (IONA 25, RIDER 18):

The lone tie in the set came following the second point. Iona scored six of the next seven and never looked back. Rider came within three points at 13-10 but the Gaels answered with a 7-2 run to virtually seal the set. Senior outside Greta Stjade had five kills while Thompson and senior right side Jen Soto chipped in four a piece to combine for 13 of Iona's 15 kills in the set.

SET 2 (RIDER 27, IONA 25):

The Maroon & Gold led for the entire set until the Broncs caught up at 23-23. Trailing 22-19 late, Rider scored seven of the final 10 points to take the set 27-25. Juran got her squad off to a fast start with four straight aces to start the set. It was the second time in three matches she recorded at least three in a row. Iona dropped the frame by just two points despite just six kills and a .056 hitting percentage. The Gaels were helped by six aces and a combined 13 attack and service errors by the Broncs.

SET 3 (IONA 25, RIDER 23):

Nine tie scores and four lead changes highlighted the hotly contested third set. Iona's largest lead came at 12-7. Rider rallied back and led by as many as three at 22-19. Four different Gaels accounted for five kills and Matschner had an ace as the home team out raced its opponent to the finish line with six of the final seven points. Thompson (5), Stjade (4), freshman Buse Tinaz (4) and Soto (3) combined for all 20 of Iona's kills. Contrary to the previous set, the Maroon & Gold was responsible for 22 of its 25 set points after adding two aces. It also hit a match best .354.

SET 4 (IONA 28, RIDER 26):

Trailing 24-19, Iona ripped off six straight points to take its first lead since 10-9. The Gaels also faced set point at 26-25 and scored three straight to win the match. The set featured 11 ties and eight lead changes. The Maroon & Gold controlled its destiny in the set with 15 kills (.190), three aces and four blocks spreading the ball around as seven players recorded kills.

IONA PERFORMERS:

• Thompson set season-bests with 16 kills and a .481 hitting percentage.  Over her last three matches, all Iona wins, she has averaged 3.0 kills per set, nearly a block per set and hitting .421.
• Stjade also had a season-high with 13 kills. She missed a double-double by one dig.  Defensively she had two blocks and had a 95.5% serve reception percentage on 21 attempts.
• Juran had a second straight strong Saturday effort with the near triple double.  She recorded her 100th career ace during her run of four straight in the second set.
• Soto and sophomore Mackenzie Wiggins each had nine kills. Wiggins posted 18 digs including several clutch saves during Iona's fourth set comeback. Soto shared the team lead with three blocks.
• Tinaz added six kills and three blocks.

THE OPPONENT:

• Rider's Kiannisha Santiago had 16 kills and three blocks for a team-best 17.5 points.
• Jenna Amaro added 15 kills.
• Setter Ryley Frye had a 46-assist, 14 dig double-double.
• Libero Keegan O'Connor posted 20 digs.

FOR THE CAUSE:

Iona volleyball selected today's match as its health & wellness game as part of a program with the Gaels' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  The team chose to bring awareness to heart health and accepted donations with proceeds going towards the American Heart Association.
 

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UP NEXT:

Iona is back in action tomorrow, hosting Saint Peter's at 1 p.m.

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