George Washington University Athletics
George Washington University
Iona
Volleyball Hangs On to Sweep Iona, 3-0
9/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Sept. 2, 2005
WASHINGTON, DC -- The George Washington volleyball team defeated visiting Iona College, 3-0, Friday night but it wasn't as easy as it sounds. In the second match of the GW Volleyball Invitational at GW's Charles E. Smith Athletic Center, the Colonials needed a late surge in games two and three to win the match, 30-18, 30-27, 30-26. The victory gave GW its first win of the year in its home opener. Earlier Friday, Towson upended Delaware State, 3-0 in the tournament's opening match.
GW junior Juliene McLaughlin led the Colonials with a team-high 12 kills to go with 15 digs for her first double-double of the season. Senior libero Jessica Vesey led all players with a match-high 20 digs and senior Shannon Parks added eight kills with just one error for a .368 hitting percentage. GW junior Kelly Kabbes added six kills and hit .385 with one error in 13 swings.
The Colonials hit a season-high .182 with 50 kills compared to .138 for Iona (38 kills) in the one-hour, 30-minute match. The Colonials' defense was up to the task as well and recorded 80 digs compared to 61 digs by Iona. GW had little trouble in game one and was coasting in game two with a 22-10 lead before the Gaels made things interesting. Iona outscored GW, 17-7 to close within 29-27 before a Lindsey Vernand kill down the line put the game away and end the suspense.
Game three went much the same way with GW controlling a 20-13 lead before again letting the Gaels back into the game. Iona went on a 7-2 run to get within 22-20 before a pair of Gaels errors gave GW some breathing room at 24-20. Iona would not go away, however, and stayed within two 28-26 before a pair of kills by GW freshman Jennie Leftwich (Powhatan, VA/Powhatan) ended the match, 30-26.
Iona's Miki Hogg led the Gaels with 12 kills while teammates Chelsea White and Kristin Allain added 18 and 16 digs, respectively. IC's Megan Dailey added 10 kills.
The Colonials (1-1) next face Delaware State (0-1) Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Towson (3-1) at 7:00 p.m. in the tournament finale at Smith Center. Towson plays Iona (0-1) at noon Saturday and the Delaware State-Iona match takes place at 5:00 p.m.
2005 GW VOLLEYBALL INVITATIONAL at Smith Center
Friday
Towson def. Delaware State, 30-18, 30-27, 30-22
GW def. Iona, 30-18, 30-27, 30-26
Saturday
Towson vs. Iona, 12:00 p.m.
GW vs. Delaware State, 2:00 p.m.
Delaware State vs. Iona, 5:00 p.m.
GW vs. Towson, 7:00 p.m.
