FAIRFIELD, CT – The Iona University volleyball team closed their weekend road trip in Connecticut with a matchup against the Sacred Heart Pioneers. After a challenging first two sets where the Maroon and Gold struggled to find their rhythm offensively, they responded with a strong performance to take set three. In a tightly contested fourth set, a late rally by Sacred Heart secured the match victory.

THE RUNDOWN: sacred heart: 3, iona: 1

SET 1: The first point for the Gaels came off a kill from freshman Cassandra Rohan. The Maroon and Gold found themselves in an early five-point deficit following Rohan's kill as Sacred Heart scored five unanswered. Freshman Emma Koceja ended the extended Pioneers run with a kill. The Gaels were forced to use their first timeout as the score sat in favor of Sacred Heart, 8-2. Out of the timeout, the Pioneers scored four unanswered to extend their lead to double digits. Junior Ezzie Thompson put a stop to the Pioneers' run with a kill of her own. Iona used its second timeout of the set as Sacred Heart's lead extended to twelve. Out of the timeout, sophomore Kari Smith looked to create an offensive spark for the Maroon and Gold with a kill, but the call was reversed after a successful Pioneer challenge. Freshman Julia Leonardo tallied her first kill of the set to end a 4-0 run by the Pioneers. Leonardo's kill sparked a quick 6-1 run, but the Gaels ultimately fell in the set, 25-10.

SET 2: A service ace from junior Sanem Bas and a kill from Leonardo opened the scoring for the Gaels, giving them a two-point lead. The Pioneers responded with a 6-1 run to retake the lead and create a three-point cushion. Iona used its first timeout as Sacred Heart's lead grew to five. Rohan stopped the extended run with a kill to bring the Gaels within six. After trading points through a few rallies, the Pioneers extended their lead to twelve following six unanswered. The Gaels went on a 4-1 run, but a kill from Sacred Heart sealed the set, 25-14.

SET 3: The Gaels opened the set with a kill from Thompson. After the score was tied at four, the Maroon and Gold went on a 4-1 run to take a three-point lead. When it looked like the match would be tied, Timko came through with a kill to keep Iona in front. Following Timko's kill, the Gaels scored four unanswered to extend their lead to six. The run was fueled by two service aces and a kill from Smith. The set remained even the rest of the way, with the four-point run proving to be the difference as the Gaels took the set, 25-19.

SET 4: For the second straight set, Thompson opened the scoring for the Maroon and Gold. Iona jumped out to a 5-2 lead following a Pioneer attack error, forcing Sacred Heart to call its first timeout. The Pioneers responded with an extended 8-1 run to regain control and take a four-point lead, prompting an Iona timeout. After falling behind by five, the Gaels scored three straight points, capped by a kill from freshman Katherine Ferng, to pull within two. The Pioneers' lead shrank to one at multiple points late in the set, but a late 4-1 run from Sacred Heart proved decisive as the Pioneers took the set, 25-19.

IONA Performers

• Leonardo tallied 11 kills and nine digs.
• Thompson tied her season high with 11 kills.
• Senior Caleigh Schroeder led the team in assists with 34.
• Sophomore Avery Gaume led the team in digs with 26. Bas and Smith both had double digit digs.

THE OPPONENT

• Ryleigh Short and Abbie Hagedorn both had a team high 13 kills.
• Brielle Laferriere led the team in assists with 37.
• Miliani Villarreal was the leader in digs with 25.
• Cristina Montanez had four blocks on the day.

UP NEXT

The Maroon and Gold return back to Hynes Athletic Center on October 24 to face off against Rider University. The match is set to tip off at 5 P.M. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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