NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team faced Saint Peter's University in the second match of their weekend home stand. The Gaels were victorious as they topped the Peacocks in five sets highlighted by Leonardo's career day. 

THE RUNDOWN: iona: 3, Saint peter's: 2

SET 1: The Gaels earned their first point of the set with a kill from freshman Emma Koceja, followed by another from freshman Julia Leonardo to even the score at two. The Peacocks responded with three unanswered points before Iona went on a 10-1 run, capped off by a Leonardo kill, to take a six-point lead. The Maroon and Gold maintained control for the remainder of the set, keeping their lead within single digits. Freshman Gabby Taylor sealed the set with a kill to give Iona a 25-19 victory.

SET 2: Leonardo opened the set with two straight kills for the Gaels. The Peacocks tied it at three with a kill of their own, and the set continued as a back-and-forth battle with Iona holding a narrow lead. Saint Peter's then went on a seven-point run to go ahead by five before a Peacocks attack error ended the streak. The Gaels quickly fought back, capitalizing on Peacocks' errors and kills from senior Caleigh Schroeder and Leonardo to tie the score. However, two straight kills from Saint Peter's pushed them ahead once more, and an Iona attack error gave the Peacocks set point. Saint Peter's took the second set 25-20.

SET 3: The third set began with a block from junior Buse Tinaz and Koceja. Koceja followed with a kill, and Schroeder added a service ace to give the Gaels an early three-point advantage. The lead grew to seven after a Peacocks attack error, but a 7-2 run from Saint Peter's brought them back within four. Iona answered with six consecutive points to extend the lead to 10 and maintained momentum throughout the set as they won the set 25-18

SET 4: The set opened with a Koceja kill, but the Gaels quickly fell behind by three. After trailing by as many as five, freshman Taylor Timko delivered a kill to spark Iona, though Saint Peter's regained possession immediately with a kill of their own. The Gaels chipped away at the deficit and tied the set at 12. Junior Sanem Bas came in and delivered a service ace to give Iona a one-point lead, followed by a Leonardo kill to create some breathing room. However, the Peacocks responded and regained control late, closing the set with five unanswered points to win 25-19 and force a decisive fifth set.

SET 5: Tinaz started the final set with a kill, and Smith followed with an ace to fuel a 4-1 run for Iona. Both teams continued to trade points as they switched sides, remaining neck and neck down the stretch. Leonardo delivered a clutch kill to bring the Gaels within one of match point, then followed it with another kill to secure the set and the match victory for the Gaels.

IONA Performers

• Leonardo with led the attack with a career high 30 kills. 
• Tinaz tallied seven blocks on the day. 
• Sophomore Avery Gaume led the defense with 26 digs. 
• Schroeder with a team high 53 assists. 

THE OPPONENT

• Addison Baglio led the team with 11 kills. Karolina T. Rodriguez Mendez had 10 kills. 
• Alondra Fargas led the team with 21 assists. 
• Valeria Pagan Munoz led the team in digs with 18. 

UP NEXT

The Maroon and Gold will stay in New York to face off against rival Manhattan. The match is set to begin at 7 P.M and be streamed on Sidearm Sports. 

SOCIAL MEDIA

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