HAMDEN, CT – The Iona University volleyball team traveled to face the Quinnipiac Bobcats in its final road match of the season. The Maroon & Gold opened the match strong, claiming the first two sets before Quinnipiac responded with a third-set victory. However, the Gaels rallied late in the fourth set to secure a road victory and close out their regular-season road schedule on a high note.
the rundown: IONA: 3, QUINNIPAC: 1
SET 1: Iona found itself in an early hole as the Bobcats opened the set on a 4-1 run. The Gaels responded with a strong 6-2 run, sparked by a Quinnipiac attack error and capped by a kill from sophomore Julia Leonardo, to take a 7-6 lead. Quinnipiac tied the score at seven, but another Bobcats attack error kick-started a lengthy run for the Maroon & Gold. A kill from junior Kari Smith capped off the stretch, which also featured an ace from junior Jaylyn Simon and a kill from Anissa Cooper. Following back-to-back points from the Bobcats, Iona continued to extend its advantage with four consecutive points, capped by an ace from senior Sanem Bas, to build a 17-10 lead. After several back-and-forth rallies, the score stood at 20-15 before the Gaels scored four unanswered points. Tinaz contributed a pair of aces during the late run to help Iona build a 24-15 advantage and eventually secure a 25-16 first-set victory.
SET 2: The second set opened with a closely contested battle, as neither team held a lead larger than two points through the opening exchanges. With Iona leading 6-5, a Quinnipiac attack error sparked a 3-1 run for the Gaels to create a 9-6 advantage. Following more back-and-forth rallies, the score stood at 11-9 before senior Buse Tinaz kick-started a four-point run. The stretch featured a kill from sophomore Emma Koceja, an ace from Tinaz and a combined block from Koceja and Cooper to give Iona a 15-9 lead. The Bobcats responded with four unanswered points to cut the deficit to 15-13. Quinnipiac continued to chip away at the Gaels' advantage, eventually pulling within one at 17-16. However, a Bobcats service error and a combined block involving junior Katherine Ferng extended Iona's lead back to three at 19-16. With the score at 19-17, the Gaels closed the set with four consecutive points to build a 23-17 advantage. The late run helped propel Iona to a 25-20 second-set victory and a 2-0 match lead.
SET 3: The Bobcats opened the third set strong, putting together a 5-1 run to establish an early four-point advantage. With Quinnipiac leading 9-4, the Gaels responded with a 3-1 stretch, capped by an ace from Smith, to begin chipping away at the deficit. However, the Bobcats answered with four consecutive points to extend their lead to 14-7. Each time the Maroon & Gold looked to build momentum, Quinnipiac found an answer, eventually taking a 19-11 advantage as it moved closer to set point. Iona refused to go quietly, as a kill from Tinaz sparked an impressive 8-0 run. The rally featured a pair of kills from Tinaz and Koceja as the Gaels battled all the way back to tie the set at 19. Despite the impressive comeback effort, Iona could not complete the rally, as the Bobcats closed the set on a 6-1 run to earn a 25-20 victory and force a fourth set.
SET 4: The Gaels' first point of the fourth set came on a kill from Tinaz, with Quinnipiac holding a 2-1 advantage. After Koceja recorded a kill to knot the score at three, the Bobcats responded with three consecutive points to take a 6-3 lead. Iona answered with a three-point run of its own, highlighted by a pair of aces from Simon, to even the score at six. With the teams tied at nine, a kill from Tinaz sparked another three-point stretch, which featured a combined block from Koceja and Tinaz to give the Gaels a 12-9 advantage. After Quinnipiac scored twice to pull within one, Iona put together a strong 5-0 run. Koceja contributed two kills, while Leonardo added a pair of aces to help the Gaels build a 17-11 lead. As Iona moved closer to closing out the match, the Bobcats mounted a late rally, using an 11-4 run to take a 22-21 lead and threaten to force a fifth set. However, the Maroon & Gold had one final answer. A block from Cooper and Ferng sparked a 4-1 closing run, allowing Iona to secure a 25-23 fourth-set victory and clinch the match in four sets.
IONA PERFORMERS
- Tinaz and Koceja each recorded a dozen kills. Leonardo added 10 kills.
- Leonardo anchored the defense with a team-high 16 digs, pairing her defensive effort with double-digit kills to record a double-double.
- Tinaz recorded 4.5 total blocks, four of which were solo blocks.
- Simon recorded a career high five aces. Tinaz recorded three aces.
- Freshman Grace Daniels led the passing game for the Gaels with 25 assists.
THE OPPONENT
- Minlend recorded 13 kills and teammates Ragusa and Tonelli each recorded a dozen kills.
- Gisslen recorded a team high 49 assists.
- Ragusa led the defense with 20 digs.
NEXT MATCH
The Maroon & Gold return to action Friday as they welcome Saint Peter's to New Rochelle. First serve is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Hynes Athletics Center, with the match set to stream on ESPN+.
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