The Iona College Volleyball team continued their conference play by going up against the Siena Saints on Nov. 13 in Loudonville, N.Y.

The Saints unfortunately got the best of the Gaels, by winning in straight sets, 28-26, 25-22, 25-20. Senior Colleen Genett led the Gaels with a .316 hitting percentage, while also contributing eight kills.

Sophomore Theresa Harvey led the team in kills with nine, while having sixdigs as well. Senior Allison Nieters led the team in digs with 16.

After a tough loss to Siena, the Gaels rebounded by defeating the Rider Broncs in straight sets, 25-16, 25-12, 25-14. Senior Alyssa Erickson led the team with a .333 hitting percentage.

Standout freshman Alicja Pawelec led the Gaels with 14 kills. Harvey had 12 digs, while Nieters led the team with 14.

This impressive win marked the end of the regular season for the Gaels as they finished with an 18-10 overall record. They had a 12-6 record in the MAAC, which was good enough to give them a No. 2 seed in the MAAC Championships in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The Gaels’ first MAAC tournament game was on Nov.18 as they played the No. 10 seeded Rider Broncs for the second consecutive time. Just like the last time they played Rider, the Gaels didn’t have much trouble, winning it in four sets, 16-25, 25-23, 25-18, 25-14.

Senior Rachel Witten had a .421 hitting percentage and 11 kills, leading the team. Harvey had 10 kills and joined Erickson with 12 digs.

Senior Bethany Schornack contributed 11 kills, and senior Laura Fojanesi had 10 kills. Nieters led all Gaels with 14 kills.

They moved on to face the No. 3 seed Canisius Golden Griffins on Nov. 19. The Gaels had another impressive win to move on to the MAAC Championship game by defeating Canisius in four sets, 25-15, 21-25, 26-24, 25-17.

It was a great team win for the Gaels, as many players contributed with loaded stats.

Genett led the team in hitting percentage with .412, while also contributing 16 kills. Harvey had 12 kills and 20 digs. Pawelec led the team with 18 kills, and Nieters led the team with 23 digs.

This win put them just one win away from winning a MAAC championship, as they faced the No. 1 seeded Niagara Purple Eagles the following day.  

Unfortunately, Gaels fell short against Niagara, ending their season by losing in straight sets, 25-19, 25-14, 25-18.

Erickson led the Gaels by having 16 digs. Genett led the team with a .211 hitting percentage and also lead the team with six kills along with Pawelec. Harvey had five kills and nine digs as well.

The volleyball team had an outstanding season put together by several veterans and young players.

Iona will remember the great contributions of seniors Gennett, Nieters, Fojanesi, Erickson, Whitten and Schornack.

 Their work this season, backed by the emerging talents of Pawelec and Harvey, will leave behind a great legacy and bright spot for the future of the volleyball program.