NEW ROCHELLE, NY – The Iona University volleyball team faced off against the Siena Saints in a critical Friday match up. The Maroon & Gold battled throughout all three sets, but Siena used timely scoring runs to pull away and secure a straight-set victory over the Gaels.
the rundown: SIENA: 3, IONA: 0
SET 1: The first point of the match for the Gaels came off a kill from sophomore Julia Leonardo. Siena responded with three consecutive points, but Iona quickly answered. Following the Saints' run, a kill from Leonardo sparked five consecutive points for the Gaels, with Leonardo capping off the run with another kill to give Iona a 6-3 advantage. The Saints responded by tying the score at seven after a 4-1 run. Iona regained the lead with back-to-back points, courtesy of a Siena error and a kill from sophomore Emma Koceja, to make it 9-7. The set remained a back-and-forth battle, with the score tied at 11 before an ace allowed the Saints to regain the lead. Siena extended its advantage to 14-11 after three unanswered points. The Gaels continued to battle and kept the Saints from extending their lead beyond three, as a kill from senior Ezzie Thompson brought Iona within two at 17-15. However, Siena used a 6-1 run to take a 23-17 advantage. A kill from junior Kari Smith ended the Saints' run, but Siena ultimately secured the opening set, 25-18, as the Gaels were unable to mount a late comeback.
SET 2: The Gaels opened the second set with a joint block from Thompson and Leonardo. The two teams traded points early, keeping the score close at five apiece. After the Saints regained the lead at 7-6, Thompson delivered a strong kill to even the score at seven. Siena responded with three consecutive points to take a 10-7 advantage, but a kill from Koceja brought the Gaels within two. The Saints began to create separation with a 4-1 run to extend their lead to 14-9. Siena maintained its advantage, holding a 15-10 lead as the set entered the media timeout. The Saints carried that momentum out of the break, extending their lead to 18-10. Tinaz answered with a kill, followed by a joint block from junior Katherine Ferng and Tinaz, to bring Iona within six at 18-12. With Siena approaching set point at 23-15, the Gaels attempted a late rally. A kill from Smith, a Saints error and a joint block from Koceja and Tinaz helped Iona put together three consecutive points to cut the deficit to 23-18. Despite the late push, the Maroon & Gold were unable to complete the comeback as Siena claimed the second set, 25-20.
SET 3: Iona opened the third set with back-to-back points, courtesy of a Siena error and a kill from Koceja. The Gaels used the early momentum to establish a 4-1 advantage. The two teams continued to trade points and rallies, with Iona maintaining an 8-5 lead before the Saints responded with three consecutive points to even the score at eight. Siena carried that momentum into a 5-1 run to take a 13-10 advantage. The Gaels fought back as a kill from freshman Anissa Cooper sparked a 3-1 run, highlighted by an ace and another kill from Koceja, to bring Iona within one at 14-13. With the Saints holding a 16-14 lead, a joint block from Henderson and Tinaz, followed by a kill from Henderson, evened the score at 16 as the Gaels looked to extend the match. With the score tied, Siena created separation with a 4-1 run to take a 20-17 advantage. Leonardo delivered a kill to keep Iona within reach, but the Saints responded with two consecutive points to extend their lead to 23-18. As Siena approached match point, the Gaels continued to fight. A kill from Smith and a joint block from freshman Grace Daniels and Tinaz cut the deficit to 24-21. However, a final attack error from Iona gave the Saints a 25-21 victory in the third set, completing the sweep.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Koceja led the attack with 10 kills, while adding 13 digs for a double-double.
- Dnaiels led the team in assists with 20 on the evening.
- Junior Avery Gaume led the defense with 21 digs. Right behind Gaume was Smith with 19 digs.
- Tinaz was the leader at the net with 3.0 total blocks.
THE OPPONENT
- Wire and Miller each recorded 12 kills to lead the Saints.
- Edwards was the assist leader with 21 on the evening.
- Willmott recorded three aces.
- Malek led the defense for Siena with 21 digs.
NEXT MATCH
The Maroon and Gold return to action tomorrow as they welcome in the Marist Red Foxes. First serve is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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