NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team faced off against Columbia University as they kicked off their campaign of the Iona/FDU Invitational. After falling in the first two sets (25-22, & 25-15), the Maroon & Gold bounced back in the third set (29-27), but ultimately fell in the fourth set (25-14). 

THE RUNDOWN: COLUMBIA: 3, IONA: 0

SET 1: The Maroon & Gold nearly earned their first point on an attack error, but an early Columbia challenge overturned the call. Sophomore Taylor Timko then delivered a kill to put Iona on the board, sparking a 5-1 run. The Lions responded with four straight points to retake the lead, and the set stayed tight until Columbia used a 7-1 run to build a five-point lead at the media timeout. A late four-point surge, capped by a Columbia attack error, brought the Gaels within two and forced a timeout, but the rally fell short as the Lions claimed the opening set 25-22.

SET 2: The Lions came out strong in the first set, opening with a 7-1 run. That early surge proved to be the difference, as the Gaels were unable to generate the runs needed to get back in the set as they dropped the set 25-15.

SET 3: The set opened as a back-and-forth battle as the Gaels worked to find their groove. After falling behind by three, the Maroon & Gold responded with help from two kills by junior Ezzie Thompson and a Columbia attack error. Freshman Emma Koceja then delivered a kill to give Iona its first lead of the frame, but a 5-1 Lions run swung the advantage back in their favor and stretched the lead to three. The Gaels answered with four straight points, highlighted by blocks from junior Buse Tinaz and sophomore Katherine Ferng, to retake the lead. Up 24-21, Iona saw Columbia rally to set point at 25-24, but a clutch block from Tinaz evened the score. Koceja closed it out with two kills to give the Gaels the set 29-27.

SET 4: The Lions raced out to a seven-point lead, forcing the Gaels to use their first timeout. The margin hovered around six before a 5-1 Columbia run stretched it to 10. From there, the Lions maintained control and closed out the final set 25-14.

IONA Performers

• Freshman Julia Leonardo has a new career high in kills as she had 17 on the day. She was one dig away (9) from having a another double-double. 
• Senior Caleigh Schroeder was the team leader in assists with 33. She also had 10 digs to secure a double-double. 
• Sophomore Avery Guame was the team leader in digs with 17. 
• Sophomore Kari Smith with a double-double in kills (10) and digs (13).

THE OPPONENT

• Eva Atkins (11), Elena Maynulet (11) and Avery Jones (10) all with double digit kills. 
• Clara Yu and Ruby van der Heide both had double-doubles on the day with assists and digs. 

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold return to action on Friday as they travel to across state lines to the Garden State to face off against FDU. The match is set to begin at noon.

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