CANISIUS COLLEGE ATHLETICS
Attempting to improve its winning streak, the Canisius volleyball team was unable to earn the victory against Iona, dropping the match, 3-1 (24-26, 21-25, 25-20, 23-25).
The Golden Griffins fall to 5-9 overall and 3-2 in MAAC play with the loss, while the Gaels improved to 5-5, 3-1 in conference action.
Senior Sara Wesley was the top hitter for the Blue and Gold, as the 2017 All-MAAC Second Team selection finished with a team-best in kills (12), hitting percentage (.556) and total blocks (four).
The opening set did not see either team take a lead of more than two points, and the longest run of the set was a 4-0 streak by the Gaels. Despite back-to-back kills from freshman Melina Woods to make it 24-24, Iona pulled away to earn the victory, 26-24.
The second frame was another back-and-forth affair, but a trio of 3-0 runs by the home team allowed Iona to win the set, 25-21. The third set saw things go more in the Blue and Gold’s favor, as a 5-1 run midway through helped the Griffs take a lead they would never surrendered and eventually took the set, 25-20.
The fourth set saw the Griffs get out to a hot 4-0 start, but they were unable to maintain it, as the Gaels tied the frame at 18-18. Iona completed the comeback in the set by winning the final frame, 25-23, and sealing its third conference win.
Outside of Wesley, Woods and senior Leah Simmons both finished with 10 kills. Freshman Camila Vazquez barely missed out on double-digit kills, recording nine to go with three total blocks. Ceriani ended the match with five kills to go with her 41 assists and nine digs. Senior Sofia Lopez Acosta registered another 20-dig match with 21 on the day. Additionally, freshman Ashley Kekeisen tallied 11 digs and two service aces.
The Gaels were led by 2018 MAAC Preseason Co-Player of the Year Claire Archibald, who finished the match with a season-high 23 kills. Emma Rose also set a season-high with 58 assists. Defensively, Jessica Paolucci racked up 20 digs.
Head Coach Lenika Vazquez‘s Postgame Comments:
“We played well but they played better today.”
Game Notes:
• Wesley recorded double-digit kills for the fifth time this season and the second time in the last three matches.
• Lopez Acosta reached the 20-dig plateau for third-straight match and eighth time overall this season.
• Ceriani now has five matches with 40 or more assists this season, with four of them coming in the last six matches.
• Saturday’s meeting between Canisius and Iona was the 43rd time the two schools met in volleyball, with the Gaels now holding a 25-18 lead in the series.
• This is the first victory for Iona over Canisius since Nov. 12, 2016.
• Iona comes to the Koessler Athletic Center on Oct. 28 to complete the season series against Canisius.
Up Next:
The Golden Griffins travel to Riverdale, N.Y. on Sept. 30 to take on Manhattan in a 1 p.m. contest. That match will be live-streamed on the Jasper Sports Network.
