NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team opened its 2025 season with a four-set win over Stonehill in the first contest of the Iona Invitational. The Gaels topped the Skyhawks with scores of 25-17, 25-21, 23-25, and 25-23.

THE RUNDOWN

An early six-point run by the Maroon & Gold forced Stonehill to call an early timeout. The run extended to 10-1, giving the Gaels a strong lead that created separation. Stonehill answered with a 5-1 push to close the gap to seven, but Iona's early surge was enough to hold on for a 25-17 win. The Gaels never trailed after scoring the first point of the match.
 
The second set began with Iona down 6-2. After a long rally and two kills from junior Ezzie Thompson, the Gaels tied the score at eight. The set remained back and forth, and sophomore Taylor Timko stepped up with two consecutive kills to even the score at 18. Iona closed on a 7-1 run to seal the set 25-21 and go up 2-0 in the match.
 
The third set was tightly contested, with neither team leading by more than four until a late 4-0 Stonehill run extended the lead to seven. The Gaels fought back with four straight points, but the comeback fell short as a kill from Stonehill's Mia Beradino closed out the set 25-23.
 
Stonehill opened the fourth with a 4-1 lead before Iona responded with four straight points to take its first lead since early in the second set. The teams traded runs until the Gaels used a 6-2 stretch to go ahead by three. Stonehill tied the set at 21, but Iona answered with three quick points to reach match point. A service ace sealed the 25-23 win and the 3-1 match victory.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Sophomore Mija Jegers led the way for the Gaels with 15 kills and 18.5 points
• Junior Sanem Bas led the team in digs with 15
• Junior Buse Tinaz led in blocks with three
• Senior Caleigh Schroeder had a team high 44 assists with a set percentage of .419

THE OPPONENT

• Mia Beradino led the attack for the Skyhawks with 14 kills
• Kendra Sawyer tallied 38 assists

UP NEXT

The Gaels return to action tomorrow for their second and third games of the 2025 Iona Invitational. Iona faces NJIT at 10 a.m. and Boston College at 4 p.m.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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