WEST ORANGE, NJ – The Iona University Volleyball team faced a familiar foe to begin the 2025 Seton Hall Classic, taking on NJIT in the opening contest just one week after squaring off in the the Iona Invitational last weekend. The Maroon & Gold rallied to top the Highlanders in a five-set thriller. The Gaels then took on tournament host Seton Hall less than 40 minutes later, dropping a three set match to conclude the day at Walsh Gymnasium.

MATCH ONE: Iona 3, NJIT, 2

• SET 1: After falling down by three in the first points of the match, the Gaels offense bounced back scoring four unanswered to take a one-point lead. Momentum shifted in favor of the Maroon & Gold following a service ace from freshman Emma Koceja, where the lead extended to five. The Highlanders mounted a comeback of their own, as they scored five unanswered to retake the lead. After a tight match the rest of the way, and a failed challenge from the Highlanders, the Gaels were able to win set 1, 26-24.
  SET 2: The set picked up right where the first set left off, in terms of being another neck-and-neck set. Following the 11-10 point in the match, it looked like it was going to be all Gaels the rest of the way until the Highlanders made things interesting, bringing the match back within two points. The Highlanders later took the lead 23-24, but following a 6-1 run but the fight from the Maroon & Gold kept the game close and forced a win by two scenario. The fight was not enough as NJIT took the set, 28-30.
  SET 3: The Gaels' offense came out strong, with three service aces and four kills to take an early 8-3 lead. The Highlanders were not going away easily, as they scored five unanswered points to bring them back within one, forcing a timeout. Sophomore Kari Smith came out of the timeout with a service ace and a kill to extend the lead to three, but the Highlanders answered back with three of their own to tie it back up. A late three consecutive kills created enough separation for the Gaels to win, 25-23.
  SET 4: Both teams went run-for-run and point-for-point, following the early lead from the Maroon and Gold, as things remained close midway through the set. A 10-2 run by NJIT created the necessary distance for the Highlanders to win the set, 21-25 to force a decisive 5th set.
  SET 5: The Maroon & Gold started out strong in the game deciding set, starting the set on a 4-1 run. The early run set the tone for the rest of the set as the Gaels were able to close out the Highlanders on a strong 5-1 run, taking the set by seven.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Smith had a career game, registering her first collegiate double-double. She tallied a career-high 14 kills and 19 digs to pair with four service aces.
• Koceja tallied 14.5 points on the day, with nine kills, five block assists and and three service aces.
• Senior Caleigh Schroeder had a team-high 27 assists, 10 digs and tied for the team-high four service aces.
• Sophomore Mija Jegers had a well rounded game, posting her third double-double of the season with 10 kills and 18 digs.
• Junior Buse Tinaz had nine kills and three serve aces.

THE OPPONENT

• Mariana Cova led the Highlanders with 10 kills along with a team-high 16 digs. 
• Aries Fontaine was right behind Cova in kills with nine.
• Finley McAndrew dished out a game-high 34 assists.

MATCH TWO: Iona 0, SETON HALL, 3

• SET 1: The Maroon & Gold started strong, jumping out to a 6-3 lead. The Pirates quickly found their groove, scoring four unanswered to take the lead. The Gaels roared back with a five-point run of their own to regain control. Two late service aces from Schroeder extended the lead to two, but a 5-1 closing run by Seton Hall sealed the set 25-23.
• SET 2: The Gaels fell into an early hole, trailing 10-0 to start the set. The Maroon and Gold's first points came from a service error, sparking a 7-0 run capped by a kill from Smith. Momentum shifted again as Seton Hall responded with a 12-3 stretch. Three straight service aces from Schroeder cut the deficit to nine, but a kill from Hanna Labanowska closed the set for the Pirates 25-16.
• SET 3: The Gaels showed renewed energy in the third set. Despite falling behind by four, they chipped away and briefly went ahead following a Seton Hall service error. The Pirates countered with a 10-3 run, but Iona refused to go away, answering with a 6-2 push that forced a timeout. Out of the break, Seton Hall secured the final point to take the set 25-22 and sweep the match.

IONA PERFORMERS

• Smith led the way in kills with 10.
• Schroeder had led the team in assists with 20. She also tallied six service aces and 11 digs.
• Sophomore Avery Gaume led the team in digs with 20 and she also had three assists on the day.
• Rookie Joy Houdre totaled 13 digs.

THE OPPONENT

• Senna Roberts-Navarro led the Pirates with 13 kills, tallied 10 digs and five assists. 
• Gwen Adler had 19 kills on the day and 11 assists.
• Emilee Fuller joined Adler as an assist leader with 11.

NEXT MATCH

The Maroon and Gold return to action tomorrow to close out the 2025 Seton Hall Invitational vs. Central Connecticut at Walsh Gymnasium. The finale is set to begin at noon.

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