NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team faced off against LIU in their final game of the 2025 Iona/FDU Invitational. After a strong first set, the Gaels were topped by the Sharks in three consecutive sets. The Maroon and Gold play their final non-conference game of the season on Tuesday against Holy Cross.

THE RUNDOWN: LIU: 3, IONA: 1

SET 1: Sophomore Katherine Ferng opened the scoring for the Gaels with a kill. The set stayed close, and at the first media timeout Iona held a one-point edge. A 7-1 run, capped by a Sharks attack error, forced LIU to call its first timeout with the Gaels up by three. The surge carried Iona to a 25-21 set win. Sophomore Kari Smith led the offense with six kills, while freshman Julia Leonardo anchored the defense with seven digs.

SET 2: LIU jumped out to a 5-1 lead, putting the Gaels in an early four-point hole. The Maroon and Gold responded with a 5-1 run of their own to tie the score at six. Iona extended its lead to two with a 6-2 stretch, forcing the Sharks' first timeout. LIU answered with six straight points to retake the lead and force a Gaels timeout. Sophomore Taylor Timko stopped the run with a kill, but the Gaels were unable to rally back, dropping the set 25-20. Smith finished with six kills, and senior Caleigh Schroeder led the defense with seven digs.

SET 3: Schroeder set the tone early with two service aces, pushing Iona to a five-point advantage and forcing an LIU timeout. The Sharks battled back with a 5-1 run to bring the score within one. A Sharks service error sparked a 6-1 Gaels run that restored a six-point cushion. However, a late 10-2 run from LIU swung momentum, and the Sharks completed the comeback with a 25-22 win.

SET 4: The Gaels trailed by three before freshman Gabby Taylor delivered back-to-back kills to cut the deficit to one. LIU capitalized on three Iona attack errors to rebuild a four-point lead. Taylor continued to shine, contributing two service aces and another kill to keep the Gaels within reach. Despite her efforts, Iona could not find the final push, falling 25-21. Taylor led the offense in the set with six kills.

IONA Performers

• Smith recorded a new career high in kills with 18 and points with 19.
• Taylor had double digit kills with 10 which is a new career high. She also recorded a new career high in service aces with four.
• Avery Gaume led the defense with 19 digs.
• Schroeder led the team in assists with 40.

THE OPPONENT

• Bella Correia, Sara Garcia, Yasmeen Muhammad, and Sara van Gisteren all had double digit kills.
• Karly Klaer was the assist leader with 45.
• van Gisteren had four blocks on the day.
• van Gisteren, Klaer, Correia and Miabella Musignac all had double digit digs.

UP NEXT

The Maroon & Gold return to action on Tuesday at Hynes Athletic Center to close out their non-conference sc against Holy Cross. The match is set to begin at 7 P.M.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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