The Iona volleyball team ended its season in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) semi-finals. Prior to the playoffs, the Gaels traveled to Fairfield, Conn. for a pivotal MAAC match. Coming off of a very successful couple of weeks, the Gaels were looking to make a big push into the top four and clinch a spot in the MAAC Championship. The team was set to travel to play Fairfield and NJIT, and return home to play Manhattan.

Fairfield hosted the Gaels (16-14 overall, 13-5 MAAC) on Nov. 10, who managed to edge out a victory in five sets (18-25, 25-19, 25-18, 19-25, 15-8). The win helped Iona move up into the top four in the conference. The offense played a very sound game in the win and four players finished with double-doubles. Senior libero Madisyn Spence recorded 22 digs in the win.

After the win in Connecticut, the team traveled to New Jersey to take on NJIT on Nov. 14. The Gaels made quick work of the Highlanders, sweeping them in three sets (25-16, 25-20, 25-21). Junior outside hitter Catrina Warren (15 kills and 11 digs) and senior outside hitter Alicja Pawelec (10 kills and 13 digs) posted double-doubles in the win, and sophomore setter Natalie Ziskin had a game high 40 assists.

With a MAAC championship berth on the line, the Gaels hosted Manhattan at the Hynes Athletic Center. The team improved their home record to 9-1 with a win over the Jaspers in four sets (25-20, 25-12, 27-29, 25-21). Warren had a monster game with 25 kills and 23 digs, posting yet another double-double. Junior outside hitter Taylor Cembalisty also recorded a double-double with 13 kills and 18 digs. The win clinched the number three seed in the MAAC championship, the women traveled to Loudonville, NY to face off with the number two seed Marist Red Foxes.

The Red Foxes won a very competitive match and ended the Gael season after five sets (15-25, 29-31, 25-22, 25-19, 9-15). Iona went down two games to none. After winning the next two sets, Marist was able to edge out a victory in the fifth set. Ziskin had a huge game, amassing 58 assists, and sophomore middle blocker McKenzie Humann led the offense with 18 kills.

“This team showed what a lot of heart to be down 0-2 and come back to win game 3 and win game 4,” head coach Jon Killingbeck said. “In game 5 we just did not make enough plays to win the game. Hopefully this lost will fuel our players in the off season and now they see how close they are to bring home another MAAC title.”

Marist moved onto the championship game where they faced off with top-seed Fairfield. The Stags won their second-straight MAAC championship in three sets (25-16, 25-14, 25-15).

The Gaels had a very good season, logging six more wins than last season, improving their conference record and even making an appearance in the MAAC championship first round for the first time since the 2010 season. Iona set a program record for conference wins.

Ten Gaels were named to the MAAC All-Academic Team, which was the most of any team in the conference. The team loses four seniors to graduation. The Maroon & Gold hope to come back even stronger next season, and possibly make a run at a MAAC championship, which would be the first championship since 2004.

“I know we have the talent in the gym to have another great year next year, but how hard we attack this off season will go a long way in shaping the outcome of next year,” Killingbeck said.