Final Stats

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena Volleyball came back and won the third and fourth set to force a fifth against Iona, but the Gaels were able to hold on and take a 3-2 (25-14, 25-16, 25-27, 28-30, 15-11) victory.

Freshman outside hitter Dakota Jackson tallied a season-high 16 kills for the Saints (0-16, 0-5 MAAC), while also tallying three service aces. Freshman setter Jessica Eblin dished out 44 assists and recorded three service aces.

Claire Archibald led Iona (6-11, 4-2 MAAC) with 18 kills and 13 digs, Jamie Smith recorded 19 kills for the Gaels. Iona tallied 10 team blocks on the day.

Iona started off quickly in the first set going up 9-5 before the Saints used their first timeout of the set. Behind the service of Alexandra Russo, the Gaels added onto the lead 15-8. Siena would chip away at the lead and trail 20-12 before Taylor Cole of Iona used three kills to put the Gaels of 23-12. Iona would hold on and take the first set 25-14.

The Gaels used the momentum from the first set right into the second as they jumped out to a 8-2 lead. The Saints continued to battle, but with the help of Tess Connolly who was serving for the Gaels and notched two kills, Iona went up 16-7. Iona went into intermission with a 2-0 lead after taking the second set 25-16.

Antonija Ivanovic tallied the final two kills that gave the Saints a set three victory of 27-25. The Gaels led early in the third set up 7-4, but Dakota Jackson tallied three kills and three service aces in the span of 8 points for put the Saints in the lead 14-13. The two teams would battle it out for the lead. Iona was able to hold the Saints off from notching the set point on two times before Siena tallied the 27-25 victory.

After taking the third set, Eblin's serving put the Saints up 5-1 early in the fourth set. Iona came right back in it and tied the set up 11-11. It was a back and forth set as neither team wanted to give up the lead. Iona would go up 23-19 before the Saints would start their comeback. Siena tied the set 23-23 before it became a set of who would get the final two points. Service errors by the Gaels helped the Saints take the fourth set and force a fifth set 30-28.

It was a tight fifth set as both league teams battled for a victory. Iona would go on a 4-0 run to go up 14-9 and need just one point to clinch the match. Siena would not fall easily and took the next two points, but Archibald tallied her 18th kill of the day and gave the Gaels the 15-11 match win.

Siena will hosts Manhattan on Sunday, October 1 in the Alumni Recreation Center. First serve is set for 1 p.m.