The Quinnipiac University Bobcats faced the Iona University Gaels Saturday afternoon in Hamden, CT. The Bobcats fell to the Iona University Gaels in four tight sets (21-25, 25-17, 20-25, 22-25) in Saturday’s matchup on Burt Kahn Court. Although the Bobcats put up a great fight, the Gaels proved why they are second-ranked in the conference with their outstanding performance on the court today, causing Quinnipiac’s losing streak to continue. 

The first set of this match was filled with aces, kills, and blocks from both teams. Both the Bobcat women and Iona women had a number of kills, but there was one aspect that differed between the team’s kills, Iona’s tipping. The Gaels found that tipping was working well for them, so they kept doing it and Quinnipiac could not return it. This worked for them throughout all four sets. 

After losing the first set, Quinnipiac came into the second set with a different attitude. The first point of the second set was a Bobcat ace by graduate and student middle blocker, Nicole Legg. This got the momentum going for the team and sophomore opposite, Alexandra Tennon displayed that exactly by putting up five kills, several exceptional digs, and a block during this set alone. 

“I could tell that I was not playing my best and not helping my team out enough in the first set,” Tennon said. “So I said ‘alright, second set, we have to get some movement going so we can start getting these points,’” Tennon explained. 

The third set was once again taken by Iona. After a shortage of energy on the court in the second set, the Gaels picked up their energy where they left it in the first set. Iona had a total of four attack errors compared to Quinnipiac’s eight in this set. Quinnipiac head coach Kyle Robinson made several player substitutions hoping for a change in momentum; however, the Bobcats could not figure out Iona’s strategy, which cost them tremendously. 

“I’m generally confident in my decisions because I believe in the things that I do,” Robinson said. “To make the switch is sometimes to break momentum and see if I can get a spark.” 

The fourth set is where Iona took home the victory. This set was a major ‘block party’ for Iona with them receiving six points from blocking alone. Senior middle blocker, Fleur Wiersma, was a dominant figure when it came to blocking, having seven total blocks on the day. Also chipping in was junior middle blocker, Jen Soto, and junior outside hitter, Elena Bianchi. 

“We’ve got to do a much better job at seeing the block and coming up with better solutions,” Robinson said. “They’ve got to be smart…You’ve got to use your brain and not so much your muscles. Have this [the brain] be the strongest muscle.” 

Quinnipiac returns to the court tomorrow, Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. to take on the Manhattan College Jaspers.