HACKENSACK, NJ – The Iona University volleyball team faced off against Farleigh Dickinson University in game two of the Iona/FDU Invitational. The Gaels came out strong, winning in first set (25-20). After falling behind in sets two (25-15) and three (27-25), they bounced back, winning the fourth set (25-21) to force a decisive set five. After a back-and-fourth battle in the fifth set, four unanswered by the Knights solidified the match as they won set 5 (15-12). 

THE RUNDOWN: FDU: 3, Iona: 2

SET 1: The score remained tight as the teams were knotted at eight until a rally that featured several defensive stops and a kill from freshman Cassandra Rohan gave the Gaels a one-point lead and shifted momentum in their favor. Sophomore Kari Smith followed Rohan's kill with three consecutive service aces to extend the lead to four. The Maroon and Gold continued to capitalize from the service line as sophomore Avery Gaume added two more aces. Fueled by their serving, the Gaels put together a 9-1 run that extended the lead to eight. That surge propelled them to a 25-20 set victory.

SET 2: The Gaels fell into a seven-point deficit at 13-6 following a 7-1 run, which forced them to use one of their two timeouts. The Knights' early surge proved to be the difference in the set, as the Maroon and Gold struggled to find an offensive rhythm and dropped the frame 25-15.

SET 3: The Gaels opened the set on a strong note with a 6-2 run that gave them a 7-5 lead, highlighted by four different players recording a kill. The Knights responded with a 5-2 stretch to regain the lead and move ahead by two. The set eventually went to a win-by-two scenario, but the Gaels were unable to string together consecutive points and fell 27-25.

SET 4: The Gaels responded well after the previous set, jumping out to an early 7-2 lead. The Knights fought their way back, and after a long rally, Smith delivered a kill that put Iona ahead by three. A 5-2 run from the Knights tied the score at 14. The Maroon and Gold answered with a 5-2 run of their own to regain a three-point cushion heading into the later stages. FDU then scored three straight points to even the score at 20, forcing Iona to call a timeout. Out of the break, freshmen Gabby Taylor and Julia Leonardo powered a quick 3-0 run that led to an FDU timeout with Iona just two points from set point. Leonardo then sealed the frame with a kill, ending any hope of a Knights' comeback and sending the match to a decisive fifth set.

SET 5: FDU opened the decisive set with a quick 4-0 run, forcing the Gaels to call a timeout. Out of the break, the Maroon and Gold responded with two points to cut the deficit in half with the serve. A 4-2 stretch brought Iona within one, but an FDU kill pushed the lead back to two as the teams switched sides. Two Knight attack errors allowed the Gaels to even the score, but FDU closed the set on a 4-1 run to secure the 15-12 victory.

IONA Performers

• Leonardo added another double-double to her resume with double-digit kills (17) and with double-digits digs (15; new career high).  
• Smith also notched a double-double with kills (13) and digs (12). 
• Gaume anchored the defense with 26 digs which is a new career high.   
• Freshman Emma Koceja produced a new career high in kills with 11. 

THE OPPONENT

• Kylie Nott had 15 kills, and right behind her was Avey Bain with 14. 
• Kyndal Ganoe was the leader in digs with 19. 
• Isabella Scarfone had a team-high 25 assists. 

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold return to action tomorrow as they come back home to face off against LIU in the final game of the Iona/FDU Invitational. The match is set to begin at noon.

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