NEW ROCHELLE, NY –The Iona College volleyball team stunned previously unbeaten Rider with a four-set victory in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference action at the Hynes Center. The Gaels rallied from five points down early and a Broncs set point in the final set to seal the win. The Maroon & Gold took the first set 25-22 before Rider evened the match in set two 25-21. Iona rallied in the final two sets 25-20 and 26-24 over its guests.
Freshman OH Claire Archibald led the Gaels with 15 kills and 24 digs in her fourth double-double of the season. Junior MB Karly White posted 10 kills and five blocks while rookie RS Taylor Bannister reached double-digit kills for the second straight game with 10 while posting six digs. Freshman Mia Bonsignore, moving over to the right side for the first time this season, posted eight kills, five digs and four blocks to help Iona to the win. Freshman Amanda Gannon had eight kills, 13 digs and two blocks as the fifth Gael to record 10 or more points.
Both Gael setters recorded 20 or more assists in the win. Senior Natalie Ziskin had her team-leading fifth double-double with 22 assists and 13 digs. Rookie Kait Ferretti posted a season best 24 assists.
In the back row, rookie libero Jessica Paolucci had 25 digs running her weekend total to 66 in the team’s nine sets played.
Rider was led by MB Kaitlyn Griffin’s 14 kills. She added seven digs and six blocks in the all-around effort. Setters Veronica Koval and Brandie Hill combined for 41 assists and libero Emma Aldaya posted 30 digs in the loss. Rider entered the match with a 7-0 record in MAAC play.
The Gaels travel to Hartford tomorrow before hosting Quinnipiac and Fairfield next weekend at the Hynes Center.