NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The Iona College volleyball team dropped matches to Fordham and Lehigh to complete action at the CCSU Invitational at Detrick Gymnasium. The Rams won the opener in three sets and the Mountain Hawks erased a 2-1 deficit to win in five sets in the night cap. Sophomore libero Jessica Paolucci was named to the All-Tournament team for her performance in the Gaels three contests at Central Connecticut.
Sophomore Claire Archibald led the Gaels in the opener with a 13-kill, 18-dig double-double, her first of the season. Archibald posted two aces and a block in the loss. Rookie Tess Connolly posted seven kills while sophomore Mia Bonsignore added five kills and two blocks. Sophomore setter Emma Rose had 26 assists and Paolucci posted 12 digs.
Fordham had three performers with 10 or more kills led by 18 from Olivia Fairchild. Kaitlin Morley had 10 kils and 12 digs, setter Maddy Walsh had 38 assists and libero Morgan Williams had 14 digs. The Rams took the match with set scores of 25-17, 25-15, 20-25, and 25-16.
In the night cap, the Gaels bounced back from a 25-13 set one loss with back-to-back set wins at 25-19 and 26-24. Lehigh took sets four and five 25-17 and 15-12.
Junior Kassandra Darnaby posted a season-high 14 kills off the bench. Connolly had her first double-digit kill effort with 10. Senior Karly White posted seven kills, five blocks and an ace to round out Iona’s double-digit point scorers. Archibald posted eight kills while Rose had 37 assists and eight digs and Paolucci had a season-best 24 digs. Sophomore newcomer Gabrielle Pacatte added 11 digs in the defeat.
The Gaels open play at the Hynes Center Tuesday night (Aug. 30) when they host the Big East’s St. John’s at 7:00 pm.