LOUDONVILLE, NY – The Iona University Volleyball team battled the Siena Saints in a midday Saturday matchup, keeping each set within reach throughout the contest. However, Siena's late pushes in each frame proved to be the difference, as the Saints pulled away down the stretch to secure a 3-0 victory over the Gaels.
the rundown: SIENA: 3, IONA: 0
SET 1: The Maroon & Gold found themselves in an early hole, trailing 5-2, but the Gaels capitalized on two straight Saints errors to pull within one. Siena would extend its lead to eight following a handful of back-and-forth rallies, but a kill from senior Buse Tinaz sparked a four-point run for Iona that featured an ace from junior Jaylyn Simon and a joint block from Tinaz and junior Katherine Ferng to knot the score at 12. The tie would not last long, as the Saints responded with six straight points to take an 18-12 lead. The Maroon & Gold answered with kills from Tinaz and sophomore Julia Leonardo, along with a Saints attack error, to cut the deficit to three. However, Siena's six-point run created enough separation for the Saints to take the opening set, 25-20.
SET 2: The Gaels came out strong in the second set, as a kill from Leonardo sparked a 5-1 run capped off by an ace from Simon. The Saints responded with a 5-1 run of their own to knot the score at six. An attack error from Siena kickstarted a 7-2 run for the Gaels, which featured two kills from Leonardo, two kills from junior Mija Jegers, an ace from Tinaz and a joint block from senior Ezzie Thompson and sophomore Emma Koceja, giving Iona a 13-8 advantage midway through the set. Shortly after the Gaels' run, Siena responded with a 14-3 stretch to take a 22-16 lead. As the Saints inched closer to set point, the Gaels mounted a late push, using a kill from Leonardo, a kill from Thompson, a Siena bad-set error, an ace from Tinaz and a joint block from Ferng and Thompson to pull within one at 22-21. The comeback attempt would fall short, as the Saints closed the set with three consecutive points to take the second frame, 25-21.
SET 3: The Maroon & Gold once again got off to a strong start, as two aces from senior Sanem Bas helped Iona jump out to an early 4-2 lead. Siena answered with three straight points to take a 5-4 advantage. After a handful of back-and-forth rallies, the Saints used a 5-2 run to extend their lead to three at 10-7. A kill from Leonardo once again sparked the Gaels, as Iona scored four straight points to regain the lead at 11-10. Following several back-and-forth rallies with Iona holding a 14-13 advantage, the Saints responded with a 5-1 run to reclaim the lead at 18-15. The Maroon & Gold answered with a 6-3 run to tie the set at 21, with Leonardo and Koceja each recording two kills during the stretch. Siena ultimately closed out the set with four of the final five points to take the third frame and secure the match in three sets.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Leonardo led the attack with 12 kills and led the team in digs with 16 for a double-double.
- Daniels was the assist leader for the Gaels with 20 on the afternoon.
- Bas , Tinaz and Simon each recorded two aces.
- Thompson recorded three block assists.
THE OPPONENT
- Deacy led the team in kills with 22.
- Edwards was the assist leader with 36 on the afternoon.
- Malek anchored the Saints defense with 21 digs.
NEXT MATCH
The Maroon and Gold return to action on Friday as they face off against Canisius at home. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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