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Canisius University Athletics

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Leah Simmons
Dean Bogart
3
Winner Canisius CAN 5=9
1
Iona ION 1-12
Winner
Canisius CAN
5=9
3
Final
1
Iona ION
1-12
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Canisius CAN 25 20 25 28 (3)
Iona ION 18 25 21 26 (1)

Game Recap: Volleyball |

Volleyball Battles to a 3-1 Victory at Iona

In the first meeting since the 2018 MAAC Championship match, the Canisius volleyball team was finally able to knock off Iona Saturday afternoon at the Monroe Athletic Complex in New Rochelle, N.Y. The Golden Griffins and Gaels split the first two sets, but the Griffs edged out Iona by narrow margins in the third and fourth sets to earn the victory (25-18, 20-25, 25-21, 28-26).
 
Canisius improves to 5-9 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while Iona drops to 1-12 on the season and 1-2 in the MAAC.
 
Starring for the Griffs once again was senior Leah Simmons, totaling 16 kills, three aces and three block assists to lead the team in all three categories. Sophomore Hannah Nelson picked up her second double-double in as many matches, tallying 11 kills and 14 digs, while fellow sophomore Camila Vazquez racked up 11 kills and two blocks over the first three sets. Senior Cassidy Ceriani directed the offense with 46 assists, adding on 12 digs and two service aces in the win. Defensively, freshman libero Bree Long held down the back row with 19 digs while senior Carly Shifflet notched six digs and two blocks to go with a kill.
 
Leading the Gaels was Karla Johnson with 14 kills and three total blocks, while Jamie Smith added 13 kills and a match-high four aces. Maile Powell registered 20 assists and Samantha Juran followed with 12 assists herself. Libero Jessica Paolucci matched her counterpart with 19 digs and also had six assists.
 
In a first set that opened with a 5-0 Canisius run, the Griffs were able to maintain a sizable advantage throughout the frame for a 25-15 win. The second set went the way of the Gaels despite a 5-0 run by the Griffs to stave off set point, as Iona never surrendered an early lead.
 
Canisius was able to retake the match lead in the third set with a trio of 3-0 streaks, holding Iona's longest streak to four points and taking the stanza, 25-21. The fourth set would not come easy for the Griffs despite a 6-1 start to the frame. After five lead changes and Iona on set point at 24-22, Canisius was able to fight back and edge out Iona, 28-26, for the match victory.

Game Notes
• The Griffs' all-time record against the Gaels improved to 19-27 with the win.
• Saturday's victory was the Griffs' first win over Iona since Oct. 29, 2017.
• The last time Canisius opened MAAC play with two-straight wins was 2015.
• Ceriani now has 45 career double-doubles.
• Nelson picked up the fourth double-double of her career.
• Simmons has led the team or shared the team lead in kills over seven of Canisius' last eight matches.
• This was the 14th time Simmons has recorded 15-plus kills in her career.
• Vazquez's 11 kills marked the 11th time the sophomore has registered double-digit kills in her career and the first time this season she has done so.
 
Up Next
The Golden Griffins continue their road trip in the New York City area with another MAAC contest, taking on Manhattan Sunday afternoon in Riverdale, N.Y. The opening serve is set for 1 p.m. from Draddy Gymnasium.
 
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