NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team faced rival Manhattan for the final time this season. The Maroon & Gold got off to a strong start, winning the first two sets, but the Jaspers rallied to win three consecutive sets and complete the comeback victory over the Gaels.
the rundown: MANHATTAN: 3, IONA: 2
SET 1: The first point of the set for the Maroon & Gold came on a kill from sophomore Julia Leonardo. The Gaels took an early two-point lead at 4-2, with senior Buse Tinaz contributing two block assists and a kill. After several back-and-forth rallies, the teams were tied at seven before an out-of-bounds challenge helped Iona regain the lead at 9-8. The Gaels maintained a narrow advantage at 12-11 until a 4-1 Manhattan run put the Jaspers ahead 15-13 at the media timeout. Iona responded with a joint block from senior Ezzie Thompson and sophomore Emma Koceja to spark a 4-1 run and reclaim a 17-16 lead. Following a Manhattan point, Leonardo's kill ignited another 4-0 run, highlighted by an ace from senior Sanem Bas and two blocks, to give the Gaels a 21-17 advantage. Iona maintained control down the stretch, and Koceja's kill sealed a 25-22 first-set victory.
SET 2: Leonardo opened the second set with a kill before the Gaels took control with a 6-1 run to build a 7-2 lead. The stretch featured a kill and two aces from Leonardo, along with two kills from Tinaz. Iona continued to extend its advantage with another Leonardo kill and a pair of joint blocks from Koceja and Thompson, forcing a Manhattan timeout with the score at 10-3. The Jaspers scored two consecutive points out of the timeout, but kills from juniors Kari Smith and Katherine Ferng helped Iona regain momentum. The Gaels' efficient offense continued as a block from Smith, an ace from junior Jaylyn Simon and another Smith kill extended the lead to 15-5. Thompson capped a four-point run with a kill to give Iona a commanding 21-7 advantage. Manhattan responded with a 4-1 run to cut the deficit to 22-11, but the Gaels held firm. Leonardo's ace secured a 25-12 second-set win and gave Iona a 2-0 match lead.
SET 3: Manhattan opened the third set with a 4-2 run, forcing the Gaels to play from behind early. Iona battled back to tie the set at five with consecutive joint blocks, first from Koceja and Tinaz, followed by Thompson and Koceja. The Jaspers answered with a 5-1 run to regain a 10-6 lead and force an Iona timeout. Manhattan continued its momentum after the break, scoring four consecutive points to extend its advantage to 14-6. The Gaels struggled to find their offensive rhythm as the Jaspers built a 21-11 lead. Manhattan maintained control for the remainder of the set, earning a 25-15 victory to force a fourth set.
SET 4: The Jaspers established an early advantage with a 5-1 run to open the fourth set. Iona looked to respond as the teams traded points, but Manhattan maintained a 10-5 lead. Trailing 14-7, the Gaels found momentum through a kill from Smith, sparking a 3-1 run capped by a Manhattan service error to cut the deficit to five. The Jaspers extended their lead back to seven before a kill from Koceja ignited a 4-1 Iona run, bringing the Gaels within four and forcing a Manhattan timeout. The Jaspers answered with five consecutive points, putting Iona on the brink of defeat. However, a Smith kill and a joint block from Ferng and Thompson helped the Gaels score three straight points to make it 23-17. Manhattan closed out the set with the final two points, earning a 25-17 victory to even the match at two sets apiece and force a decisive fifth set.
SET 5: Smith opened the deciding set with an ace for the Maroon & Gold, but Manhattan responded with three consecutive points to take a 3-1 lead. Leonardo's kill briefly halted the run before the Jaspers put together another 4-1 stretch to extend their advantage to 7-3. Kills from Smith and Koceja helped Iona close the gap to 8-6, and an ace from Tinaz brought the Gaels within one. Manhattan answered with a 3-1 run to take an 11-8 lead, but Iona continued to fight back. A Jaspers service error and another Leonardo kill brought the Gaels within one at 11-10. Manhattan regained a three-point advantage at 13-10 with an Iona attack error and a kill. A subsequent Jaspers kill put Manhattan one point away from victory, but Leonardo responded with a kill to keep the Gaels alive at 14-11. Another Manhattan attack error and a Leonardo kill cut the deficit to one, giving Iona a chance to complete the comeback. However, a final kill from the Jaspers secured a 15-13 fifth-set victory and a 3-2 match win.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Leonardo led the attack wit 17 kills, while adding three aces. Smith tallied 14 kills on the evening.
- Simon was the assists leader for Iona with 28.
- Thompon recorded 4.0 total blocks.
- Gaume recorded 24 digs and also recorded the 1,000th dig of her Iona career during the match.
THE OPPONENT
- Powers lead the offense with 15 kills. Morreale and Francesconi each recorded double digit kills.
- Briger was the assists leader for Manhattan with 32 and also tallied three aces.
- Morreale recorded five total blocks.
NEXT MATCH
The Maroon and Gold return to action on Friday as they welcome in the Siena Saints. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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