NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The Iona University volleyball team dropped a three set decision to Boston College, 25-20, 25-21, 25-9, in non-conference action Friday evening at the Hynes Center in its second match of the 2023 Iona Invitational.

SET 1 (BC 25, IONA 20)

Sophomore Mackenzie Wiggins' two kills alongside one each from freshman Ava DeGuzman and seniors Jen Soto and Hope Matschner gave Iona an early 10-6 advantage. The Eagles recuperated to tie the set at 13-13. Freshman Buse Tinaz broke the tie before an 8-3 Boston College run led to a 22-16 advantage. The home team fought to get back into the contest with two kills from freshman Ezzie Thompson. The Eagles countered with the final two points to clinch the opening set.  Wiggins led the set with three kills for the Gaels.

SET 2 (BC 25, IONA 21)

Iona and Boston College went back and forth early in the middle set before the Gaels jumped out to a 12-8 lead following a pair of kills by Soto and Thompson and a fifth one from Wiggins. Iona maintained its four-point lead at 16-12 as Soto maintained the attack for the Gaels. The Eagles countered with an 8-3 run and retook the lead at 20-19. Boston College extended the run to 13-5 to take a commanding lead in the match. Soto led all players with five kills in the set.

SET 3 (BC 25, IONA 9)

Boston College blitzed the home team early in the third set, jumping out to a 14-3 lead. Kills from senior Nerin Valasakos, senior Morgan Madasz and junior Tamara Pichardo aided in closing the deficit to eight. It was as close as the Gaels would get.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Senior libero Hope Matschner provided a team-high 23 digs to anchor the defense.
• Soto led the Gaels with siz kills, supported by four each from Wiggins and Thomson.
• Pichardo had a team best 16 assists and two aces.
• Thompson and Tinaz aided Iona's defensive attack with two blocks each, with five other Gaels recording a block in the .

THE OPPONENT

• Boston College's Katrina Jensen led her squad with a 12-kill, .375-hitting performance.
• Sophia Lambros posted a double-double with 25 assists and 13 digs.

NEXT GAME

The Gaels are back in action tomorrow afternoon at the Hynes Center to face LIU. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m. and can be seen live on IonaInsider.com.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Be sure to follow Iona University athletics on all social media platforms:
Iona Gaels: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube (Email Updates).
Iona Volleyball: Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.