NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. – Iona College (4-12, 2-5) recorded 11 services aces Sunday afternoon as the Gaels defeated Niagara University (3-12, 1-6), 30-26, 30-19, 30-24, in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference volleyball action at the Gallagher Center.

Iona used six aces, including two in the game’s first four points by Kristin Allain, to win the first game. Allain finished game one with three aces and three kills. Allain’s kills were part of a 6-0 run as the Gaels broke away from a 23-23 tie to a 29-23 lead. After Niagara ran off three-straight points, Morgan Young recorded a kill for the win.

In game two, the teams traded early scoring runs as the teams battled to a 13-13 tie. Allain recorded back-to-back kills to give Iona a 19-15 lead. Another Allain kill sparked a five-point Iona run, giving the Gaels a 25-16 lead.

Iona then used two aces and seven kills to open game three with a 13-4 run. Niagara responded with a six-point run to cut the lead to 13-10 after a kill by sophomore Nicole Piette (Lockport, N.Y./Lockport). The teams traded points until Iona held an 18-17 lead. Alain picked up two kills as Iona opened a 21-17 lead. The teams traded points until Iona took advantage of three Niagara hitting errors and opened a 28-21 lead. Young later ended the match with a cross-court kill.

Piette and junior Maurin Lawrence (Corfu, N.Y./Notre Dame) each had 10 kills for Niagara. Junior Sara Mancini (Lancaster, N.Y./Lancaster) had a match-high 20 digs.

Iona was led by Allain and Megan Dailey as each had 11 kills. Young added 10 kills. Allain had a match-high four aces.

Niagara plays cross-town rival Canisius College at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Gallagher Center.