The Canisius volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Iona College 18-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, 15-11 in the Hynes Athletic Center on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore Katlyn Tyler posted a team-high 16 kills while senior Emily Litwin had a season-high 32 digs and went over the 1,000-dig total in her career at Canisius. Junior Rachel Kline had a double-double with 10 kills and a career-high 25 digs while junior Grace Streicher also had a double-double with 36 assists and 15 digs.

“Our bench really came through today to help us get this road win,” Canisius coach Cathy Hummel said. “It wasn't a pretty match by any means, but we showed a lot of resiliency to get our first five-set win this season.” 

Iona took control of the first set with an 11-3 run to build a 17-7 lead en route to winning the opening set. The Gaels broke open the second set midway through again, with a five-point run to go up 15-8 and eventually go up 2-0 in the set.

Iona (4-14, 1-6 MAAC) held a 15-11 lead in the third set before Canisius made its run. The Griffs took control with a 9-1 run, getting three kills from Kline during the spurt to take a three-point lead. Iona knotted the score at 21-21, but a kill from Tyler got Canisius a sideout and a kill from sophomore Jacklyn Malusa gave the set to Canisius.

Canisius jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the fourth set before Iona came back to take a 7-6 lead. Canisius answered with a four-point run to regain a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Iona got within one at on a number of occasions, but a kill from Streicher tied the match at 2-2.

Canisius scored the first five points of the fifth set, but Iona didn't go away quietly. The Gaels got within one at 7-6, but kills from junior Lauren Siebert and Streicher made it 9-6. The Gaels would get within one again at 12-11, but an Iona error, a service ace from Kline and a kill from junior Amy Osinski completed the comeback win for Canisius.

Canisius (3-12, 3-3 MAAC) completes the weekend trip to the New York City area at Manhattan College on Sunday. Match time is set for 2 p.m.

Notes: Canisius won in five sets for the first time this season as the Griffs were 0-5 in five-set matches previously… Kline and Streicher each posted their sixth double-double of the season… Canisius won at Iona for the first time in eight years… Freshman Kristen Plukas had 12 digs, recording double-digit digs for the third time this season… Tyler posted double-digit kills for the fifth time in matches... Canisius overcame a 2-0 deficit for the first time since Sept. 14, 2013, at Bucknell... The 25 digs by Kline were the most by a Canisius outside hitter since Renee Lettow had 34 digs at Loyola on Oct. 27, 2007.