NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team faced off against the Siena Saints, earning a straight-set victory. The Maroon and Gold opened strong, taking the first set while holding the Saints to just 13 points. In sets two and three, despite late pushes from Siena, the Gaels maintained their composure and held their lead in both sets to complete the sweep.

THE RUNDOWN: Iona: 3, Siena: 0

SET 1: The scoring for the Maroon and Gold began with a kill from freshman Julia Leonardo, sparking a 4-1 run to start the match. The lead later extended to seven as the score sat at 11-4 following a service ace from senior Rose Porter. A kill from junior Ezzie Thompson gave the Gaels their first double-digit lead of the match at 15-5. The Iona offense and defense continued to stand strong throughout the set, allowing the Gaels to take the opener 25-13.

SET 2: Thompson got the scoring started in the second set with a kill, and Leonardo followed with one of her own. The two kills sparked a 5-1 run to open the set. After a brief Siena rally, the Gaels responded with three straight points to build a six-point lead. Both teams traded rallies as the margin remained near six heading into the media timeout. Out of the break, freshman Gabby Taylor and Leonardo each tallied a kill to extend Iona's lead to nine. The Saints responded with a 4-1 run to cut the deficit to five, prompting an Iona timeout. Siena added two more points out of the huddle to come within two, but the Gaels held strong down the stretch to close out the set 25-23.

SET 3: The first point of the set came off a Siena service error. With the score tied at two, freshmen Emma Koceja and Taylor combined for a block to give Iona the lead. Siena answered with a 5-1 run to regain a two-point cushion. After trailing by three, the Maroon and Gold responded with four straight points capped by a kill from Thompson to take a 10-9 lead. The Gaels then went on a 6-2 run, finished by a Taylor kill, to push the advantage to five. Iona led by as many as seven before Siena scored five straight to close within two. The Saints' late push fell short, and the Gaels secured the set 25-20 to complete the sweep.

IONA Performers

• Leonardo led the team in digs with 20.
• Senior Caleigh Schroeder was the leader in assists with 29.
• Sophomore Avery Gaume led the team in digs with 21.

THE OPPONENT

• Mary Claire Deacy led the team in kills with 10.
• Alandra Hasbrouck was the team leader in assists with 13.
• Elizabeth Phillips led the team in digs with 16.

UP NEXT

The Maroon and Gold return to action Friday at home as they face off against Sacred Heart University. The match is set to begin at 1 P.M. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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