Iona University Athletics

NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team faced the Niagara Purple Eagles and came out on top in five sets. After dropping the opening set, the Maroon and Gold responded by winning the next two. Niagara answered with a win in the fourth set to force a decisive fifth, but a late rally from Iona in the fifth set sealed the match victory.

THE RUNDOWN: IOna: 3, Niagara: 2

SET 1: The first point of the set for the Gaels would come off a kill from freshman Julia Leonardo which surged the the Maroon and Gold to a strong with a 4-1 lead. The Purple Eagles would go on to score three unanswered to tie the match at five. The set would remain close with ties and changing leads which was until a late 6-1 run from Niagara surged them to a 25-21 set one win. 

SET 2: The scoring in the second set would begin with a kill from junior Ezzie Thompson which sparked an early 8-2 lead forcing the Purple Eagles to use their first timeout of the set. The Maroon and Gold would get their largest lead of the set at the time with 10 following a Niagara attack error. The Purple Eagles would not go down easy as they answered with a 7-1 run to bring the score within four. The lead would dwindle to two following a service ace from the Purple Eagles but the Gaels stood strong as sophomore Taylor Timko finished the set with a kill to win the set 25-20. 

SET 3: Leonardo would get the scoring started in the third set for the Maroon and Gold with a kill. The Gaels continued to come out strong in the beginning of the set as they built another early lead. The Purple Eagles would create a 4-1 run to take the one point lead. The set would remain close during a couple rallies until the Gaels created separation with a extended 9-5 run that put them up four. Niagara would answer with four straight to tie the score. The Gaels would answer back with four of their own to create a four point lead late. Niagara would answer back to their four point run with a four point run of their own to tie the set at 21. The Maroon and Gold were able to take the last set 25-23 following a late 4-2 run capped off by a kill from Leonardo. 

SET 4: Thompson would get the scoring starting in this set with a kill. Despite another early lead for the Maroon and Gold, Niagara responded with a 4-1 run to tie the match at six. The set would remain close until a 7-2 run from the Purple Eagles extended their lead to four. That run would not stop the Maroon and Gold as a kill from Leonardo capped off five unanswered to give the Gaels a one-point lead. The rest of the set would remain a close battle until 4-1 at the end of the set gave Niagara the edge as they were able to force a decisive fifth set. 

SET 5: Leonardo got the scoring going for the Maroon and Gold with a kill. The score would remain at three for both teams until a 4-1 run gave the Gaels a three point edge. Niagara would not go away quietly as a kill capped off a three point swing to tie the set at seven and force Iona to use a timeout. The game would remain close out of the timeout until a 4-1 run pushed the Maroon and Gold over the top as they were able to solidify a set five win with a score of 15-11.  

IONA Performers

• Leonardo had a team-high 24 kills on the day. Timko and rookie Emma Koceja both had double digit kills on the day. 
• Senior Caleigh Schroeder got a new Gael career high in assists with 56.
• Sophomore Avery Gaume, sophomore Kari Smith, junior Sanem Bas and Schroeder all with double digit digs. 

THE OPPONENT

• Sydney Wilkes led the attack with 20 kills. 
• Kinga Wronska has a double-double in kills and digs. 

UP NEXT

The Maroon and Gold return to action tomorrow at home to face off against the Canisius Griffins. The match will be streamed on ESPN+. The match is set to begin at  at 1 P.M.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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