RICHMOND, VA - The Iona University volleyball team completed action at the VCU Invitational with a four-set win over the Big East's Georgetown at the Siegel Center. After dropping the first set to the Hoyas, the Gaels (2-5) took the final three to earn its first win of the weekend with set scores of 13-25, 25-19, 25-19, 25-22.

THE RUNDOWN

Georgetown took the first set scoring 16 of the final 22 points including the final five of the frame. Iona regrouped, took a 2-1 lead, and then never trailed. A 7-1 run by the Gaels following a 7-7 tie score led to the six-point set two win. In the third, the Maroon & Gold trailed 11-10 before recording eight straight points to take an 18-11 advantage it would not relinquish. Despite the close score in the final set, the frame was only tied twice in the first four points. Iona took a 3-2 lead and never looked back. With the Gaels up five at 18-13, Georgetown scored four straight to get within a point. They nearly tied the score, but a successful challenge put the Gaels ahead by two. The Hoyas closed the deficit to 22-21 late. The Maroon & Gold answered with three of the next four points to earn the win.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Senior Jen Soto posted a team-best 11 kills, a .296 hitting percentage and had 11.5 points after adding a block.
• Freshman Ezzie Thompson added a season-best nine kills and shared the team-lead with three blocks.
• Rookie Ava DeGuzman and sophomore Mackenzie Wiggins each had six kills and 14 digs. DeGuzman also added an ace.
• Senior libero Hope Matschner had a match-high 22 digs and returned 21-of-22 serve receptions.
• Senior setter Samantha Juran had 18 assists, seven digs and two aces.
• Junior setter Tamara Pichardo added 11 assists and three blocks.

THE OPPONENT

• Georgetown's Peyton Wilhite was one of three performers with a double-double with 13 kills and 16 digs. She added three blocks and an ace.
• Mary Grace Goyena had 12 kills and 11 digs.
• Setter Emily Wenn recorded 36 assists and 13 digs.
• Libero Karis Park had 16 digs.

UP NEXT

The Gaels host a four-team round-robin at the Hynes Center this Thursday through Saturday (September 7-9) and welcome Boston College, Fordham, and LIU to New Rochelle. The first match Iona is Thursday against the Rams at 4 p.m.  The Eagles and Sharks square off at 7 p.m.

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