WSOU

Pirates defeat Iona in straight sets

Date: September 11, 2019

By: John Makuch

Seton Hall came into the game at 1-6, with Iona entering the game at 0-6. Iona got out to an early six to two run in the first set. The Pirates were able to bring it to 11-11 and make it a tight start to the match. A key ace from Haylee Gasser gave the Pirates a one-point lead late in the set. Gasser had a great set with six kills, one of which gave the pirates the win in the first set, the Hall took this set 25-21.

The second set started out much closer than the first with the score staying close, but the Pirates got out to an early seven to five lead that put pressure on Iona early. The Gaels responded to this pressure however and got out to a lead of their own.

With Seton Hall forced to respond Gasser kept her first set magic going with a powerful kill that tied the set at 14. The pirates took this momentum and got out to a three-point lead off a key play from Reece Koehler, who would finish the match with 10 kills, Koehler ended the set with another big kill, and the pirates took the set 25-22.

Iona looked to respond after losing the first two sets as they got out to an early 2-0 lead. The Pirates responded as Gasser got her 15th kill of the match that gave the Hall a 3-2 lead. This was the start of a nine-point run from Seton Hall that ended at 9-3, giving them a demanding lead to begin the potential match winning set.

Amanda Rachwal and Grace Rosenberg both got huge kills that kept the Pirates’ momentum going and they never looked back. Julia Wilkins also had a great third set coming up with a block to keep the run going. Gasser would finish with a season high of 16 kills. Gasser said that this performance and win “feels great” but she also said that she is taking it “one match at a time.”

This team performance gave the Pirates a spark that led them to win the third set 25-13, giving them a match sweep of Iona. This win ends this stretch of home games for Seton Hall, and when asked about how to take the win and use it as momentum going forward, head coach Allison Yaeger said that “everything is better when you’re winning” and that it is more “fun in the locker room.”

Hopefully the Pirates carry that energy into the road trip, as they start off the Akron invitational on Friday versus Eastern Kentucky (3-4) on Friday. The Hall is looking to continue to improve their record “one match at a time,” with the Pirates now 2-6 after this win.

John Makuch can be reached at john.makuch@student.shu.edu.

Posted in: Sports, Volleyball, WSOU

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