Marist Finishes Off Iona For Fourth Home Sweep

Nov 9, 2016

Marist_Amanda Bradley — Amanda Bradley was one kill shy of a career high with seven.

POUGHKEEPSIE – With a strong senior showing in McCann Arena, the Marist volleyball team (12-15, 11-5 MAAC) shutout Iona 3-0 (25-15, 25-16, 28-26) for its fourth home sweep of the 2016 season Nov. 6.

After celebrating Senior Day, the Red Foxes moved into sole possession of second place in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in their quest for a first round bye in the conference championships. Their wins combined Quinnipiac’s losses at Niagara and Canisius this weekend put Marist in the driver’s seat to earn the first round bye.

Senior Amanda Schlegel had two top marks for Marist with 20 assists and a pair of service aces. On the attack, freshman Megan Fergus slammed a team-high nine kills. Senior Amanda Bradley set the tone with seven kills, which were one short of tying a career high, and jumped for two blocks.

Marist was in the lead the entire first frame, pulling in front 9-3 on a run highlighted by kills from four different hitters. Coming out of their second timeout, the Gaels managed to score eight points but still fell into a 1-0 hole early in the contest.

Both sides traded points in the second stanza, tying the score 11 times. With 13 points for each side, Marist ripped off six straight points in the wake of an Iona timeout with Schlegel serving. The Red Foxes forced six attack errors by the Gaels down the stretch to take a commanding 2-0 edge.

The lead changed hands eight times in a hard-fought third set, as Iona rallied for points. Marist took a timeout down 23-21 and pulled even at 23, 24 and 25. Two kills from Nikki DeSerpa tied the score each time, but Fergus put the hammer down and an Iona attack error ended the match.

Marist will face Saint Peter’s and Rider on the road on Nov. 12 and 13, respectively. First serve for both matches will be at 1 p.m.

The 2016 MAAC Volleyball Championships will take place from Nov. 18-20 in Fairfield, Connecticut. Match times are to be determined, but the first round will take place on Nov. 18 with the semifinals and finals slated for the next two days.