On Oct. 25, Iona volleyball faced Saint Peter’s University in the Hynes Athletic Center. winning the best out of five sets 3-2.
In the first set, vital players Emma Koceja, Julia Leornardo and Gabby Taylor were the main reasons they took the set, winning 25-19, with each recording kills to gain the advantage and secure the victory.
Moving onto the second set, the Gaels lost 20-25. But bounced back for the third set, winning 25-18. Caleigh Schroeder also gave the Peacocks a service ace to give the Gaels a three-point lead, which was crucial for this set.
But, St. Peter’s was not willing to go down without a fight in the fourth set; they took it, winning 25-19. However, at the end of it all, the Gaels came out on top, winning 15-11, with Buse Tinaz as a main contributor, offering blocks and kills throughout the round and game to give the Gaels the victory.
On Oct. 28, the team headed on the road to face their rivals Manhattan University. After a tough battle, the final result ended in a 3-2 victory for the Gaels. During the first set, main contributors Ezzie Thompson, Leonardo and Taylor Timko all had monumental kills to help lead their team to victory, with the set ending 25-23.
Moving onto the second set, Gabby Taylor and Koceja were key players both had kills and two service aces from Kari Smith. But sets three and four were all Manhattan, as they dominated the Gaels and caught up to push a fifth set. In the fifth set, Iona won 15-8.
On Halloween, the Gaels took on Quinnipiac University on the road. They got swept in three straight sets, losing 3-0. They lost the first set 25-1, then lost the second set 25-19; this time getting a little bit closer to victory. But, they couldn’t come up with the win, and they lost the third set, 25-14.
On Nov. 1, Iona went on the road to take on Merrimack University. They were swept once again in three straight sets, losing 3-0. Set one ended 24-26, then the Gaels lost set two, 20-25, and lost set three, 25-21.
Iona came close almost every set but just couldn’t get those last clutch points when it was time. Key contributors Leoardo, Koceja, and Avery Guame all helped out and tried to put the team on their backs, but it wasn’t enough.
