NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Holy Cross volleyball team suffered a 3-0 road defeat to nonconference opponent Iona Tuesday evening in the Hynes Athletic Center.

The setback sends the Crusaders to 4-10 on the year while the Gaels snap a seven game losing streak and improve to 5-9.

SET SCORES:
Gaels 3, Crusaders 0 (15-25, 14-25, 19-25)

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Iona built up a 4-1 lead early on in the first set. A Gael attack error put Holy Cross behind two, 9-7. A 6-1 Iona run increased the margin to 15-8. An ace from the hosts moved the lead to 10, 22-12 late in the first set. They won the set 25-15.
• Holy Cross took their first lead of the match in the second set. A double block by junior outside hitter Taliah Lee and freshman middle blocker Kyla Harris made it 4-2 in favor of the Crusaders. From there, Iona went on a 18-8 burst to establish a 20-12 advantage. The Gaels captured the set by 11, 25-14 to lead 2-0 in the match.
• Three errors from Iona put the Crusaders in the lead at 3-2 in the third set. Two straight Gael kills improved the score to 9-6. Sophomore middle blocker Lacey Murphy and Lee teamed up for a block to level the set at 10 all. From there, Iona scored eight in a row for the 18-10 margin. Holy Cross battled back as junior outside hitter Lily Eigner started a 5-0 stretch with a kill while also getting a block and a pair of kills from Lee to trail 19-16. Iona responded by earning three points back and they outproduced the Crusaders six-to-three over the remainder of the match.

INSIDE THE BOX:

• This was the first meeting between the two programs since 2001.
• Iona held the edge at the service line getting 10 aces to the Crusaders' one.
• Senior setter Katie Russell matched a season-high with 11 digs.  

UP NEXT:

• Holy Cross opens up a four game home stand beginning on Friday, Sept. 26 against Patriot League foe Bucknell (5-6, 2-0 PL) at 7 p.m.

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross volleyball team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossVB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossvb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Volleyball | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross