Credit: Seton Hall University Athletics
Seton Hall Dominates in Sweep over Iona
Published: Friday, September 5, 2025
by Darren Worrell
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. -- Seton Hall Volleyball (2-2) made their home debut when they welcomed in the Iona Gaels (3-2) for the second matchup of the annual Seton Hall Classic on Friday. The Pirates were able to sweep the Gaels 3-0 in Historic Walsh Gymnasium.
The first set was very back and forth between both squads as it was a battle all the
way to the end. There were a total of six ties in the first set alone and right when
the other side came back with momentum, the other team would respond in a strong way.
Lead changes continued all the way up until the 23-23 mark. Then the Pirates secured
back-to-back kills from Junior Senna Roberts-Navarro and Freshman Daria Safian. Roberts-Navarro
had 4 of her 13 kills in this set alone. The Pirates would win this set 25-23.
The second set was all about the runs, but out of all of the Pirates’ sets in this
young season, this one showed signs of their strongest play. The Pirates went on an
11-0 run, mainly due to costly attacking errors by Iona, three service aces by Labanowska,
along with timely kills from Roberts-Navarro, Maddy Loiselle and Alex Rasmussen.
Iona responded with a run of their own, scoring seven straight points behind three
service aces from Sophomore outside hitter Mija Jegers to stay within striking distance.
After the brief run by the Gaels, the Pirates would get things back on track going
on a 7-0 run of their own to push the lead to 23-10.
Iona would strike back to keep things competitive, but the Pirates would go on to
win the set 25-16.
The third and final set was very similar to both previous sets. Loiselle was the main
part of the Seton Hall run, racking up two timely kills to make the score 5-1. The
Gaels would then fight their way back into the match, forcing four ties all the way
up until the score was knotted at 11-11.
From there the Pirates would take a comfortable lead at 22-16. The Gaels would make
one final push trimming the lead 24-22. But after a brief timeout, it was fitting
that Roberts-Navarro delivered the match-sealing kill, sealing the sweep 25-22.
Both Gwen Adler and Roberts-Navarro finished with double-doubles in this matchup,
but this win would not have been possible without the entirety of the team.
The Pirates now turn their attention to day two of the Seton Hall Classic when they
take on the NJIT Highlanders tomorrow at 3:00 P.M. Caitlin Barrar and Ryan Nelke will
be on the call for that game.
Posted in: sports,