NEW ROCHELLE, NY— The number eight nationally ranked Iona University acrobatics & tumbling team took on number two ranked Quinnipiac from the Hynes Athletic Center in its first home dual meet of the 2025 season. The Maroon & Gold put on a strong performance in front of their home crowd but would ultimately be taken down by Quinnipiac by a score of 262.280-257.475.

COMPULSORY

The opening event saw the visitors grab an early narrow lead, taking the compulsory event 36.65-35.70.  

ACRO

The Gaels had a strong showing in the acro event, posting a 9.30 in 7 Element heat. Quinnipiac would stay consistent, however, and take a 27.950-25.900 advantage from the second event.  

PYRAMID

The Gaels closed out the first half of competition in the dual meet, dropping the Pyramid event 28.00-26.95 to the Bobcats. The visitors would enter the break up by a score of 92.60-88.55. 

TOSS

Back from halftime, the Gaels posted a 25.60 in the Toss event. Quinnipiac's 27.750 would be enough to take the toss event victory. 

TUMBLING

Iona started strong in the tumbling event, with Olivia Montalbano and Portia Dryden posting an 8.750 in the duo pass. Alyssa Lentz continued the Gaels' momentum with a 9.300 in the aerial pass before Ty Upton posted an impressive 9.700, both starting with a 10.00 possible point total. Olivia Montalbano rounded out the event, posting a 9.275 from a 9.750 starting value.   

TEAM EVENT

Iona would improve upon their team event score by nearly four points compared to their effort in the same event in the season opener, but still ultimately drop the event 90.43-89.70 to Quinnipiac.

OVERALL

With a top possible score of 287.950 based on starting values, the Gaels earned all but 30.48 points for the dual meet. Quinnipiac's start value max was 293.030 and fell 28.75 points short. 

THE LINEUP

 #1 Georgia Mason         
#2 Mylah Vanden Elsen         
#4 Alyssa Lentz         
#6 Teresa Jennings         
#8 Rachelle Ricafranca         
#9 Olivia Montalbano         
#11 Samantha Gonzalez         
#12 Ty Upton          
#13 Josie Hewett         
#14 Sophia Huertas         
#15 Violet Strong         
#19 Alexandra Swaris         
#20 Riley Beauchmin         
#21 Julienne Templeman         
#22 Nicole Bonnett          
#23 Jenna Roby         
#24 Kendall Vess         
#25 Emersen Johnson         
#26 Rebecca Lane         
#27 Leilani Morales         
#28 Demi Brown          
#29 Aspen Lentz         
#30 Karryn Wieda         
#31 Portia Dryden         
#33 Cristiana Abreu         
#35 Haley Merrill         
#36 Laura Rojas         
#43 Gia Arias     

UP NEXT

No. 8 nationally ranked Iona returns to action on Monday, March 3 at 6:00 p.m. to take on Duquesne in the Hynes Athletics Center.