NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University Volleyball team split Saturday's doubleheader, taking the match against NJIT three sets to one before and falling to Boston College in straight sets to complete the opening weekend. The Maroon & Gold finished the Iona Invitational Tournament with a 2-1 record. Representing the Maroon & Gold on the All-Tournament team was sophomore Mija Jegers and junior Ezzie Thompson.

MATCH ONE: Iona 3, NJIT 1

The Gaels' offense came out strong, scoring four unanswered points to create early separation. Which proved to be enough as they took the first set, 25-21. The Maroon & Gold fell behind in the second set, but a 6-1 run sparked by Thompson brought them back into contention. The energy from junior Buse Tinaz and sophomore Taylor Timko kept the Gaels close, yet the Highlanders held on to claim the set, 26-24. In the third, the Gaels again struck early, building a seven-point lead that they never surrendered on their way to a 25-22 win. The fourth set opened as a back-and-forth battle until another 6-1 run by the Maroon and Gold created separation from the Highlanders. That surge proved decisive, sealing the match with a 25-19 fourth set victory.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Sophomore duo of Timko and Jegers led the way for the Gaels with 13 kills
• Jegers also tallied double digit digs with 11, getting her first double-double on the season
• Sophomore Jaylyn Simon led the team in assists with 19
• Senior Caleigh Schroeder was right behind Simon in assists with 18 for the match.
• Simon, Thompson and Tinaz were all tied for the team lead with four blocks
• Leading the team in digs was sophomore Avery Gaume with a career-high 20 digs

THE OPPONENT

• Martina Gonzalo Cortes tallied 12 kills, five block assists, and 16 digs on the day
• Mariana Cova had 12 kills, 2 serve aces, and 14 digs

MATCH TWO: Boston college 3, IOna 0

Boston College took control early, winning the first set, 25-14. In the second, the Maroon and Gold kept things close in hopes of redemption, pulling even at 14. However, the Eagles pulled away with an 11-5 closing run to take the set, 25-19. The Gaels started strong in the third with an early 3-0 advantage, but the oppositions attack proved too much as Boston College closed out the match with a 25-16 victory.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Jegers lead the offense charge for the Gaels with 7 kills, 24 total attacks and tallied 8 points.
• Sophomore Kari Smith with 8 digs and 7.5 points.

THE OPPONENT

• Audrey Ross lead the Eagles with 13 kills, 15 points and was tied for the team lead in service aces.
• Brooklyn Yelland had 11 digs on the day and 9 assists.

All Iona Invitational team

• Cornelia Roach, Boston College (MVP)
• Audrey Ross, Boston College
• Brooklyn Yelland, Boston College
• Mija Jegers, Iona
• Ezzie Thompson, Iona
• Finley McAndrew, NJIT
• Mia Beradino, Stonehill

NEXT MATCH

The Gaels travel to New Jersey on Friday, September 5 to face off against NJIT in the opening game of the 2025 Seton Hall Classic. The match is set to begin at 11:30 A.M. from Walsh Gymnasium.

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