Women's Volleyball | 9/24/2022 6:47:00 PM
UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team outlasted Nazareth College 3-2 on Saturday collecting an Empire 8 win. It was Utica's first-ever program win over Nazareth.
During the first set, it was a back-and-forth battle between the two teams. There were many long rallies and great play-extending saves by the Pioneers. Utica was able to set up its strikers and muster a match-high 12 kills. Nazareth's defense would hold strong yet Utica would capture the set 25-22 and begin the match up 1-0.
Utica entered the second set feeding off of the crowd energy and looking to continue playing terrific on both sides of the ball. Nazareth, much like Utica in the first set, would set up its strikers to record a match-high 15 kills and force Utica into four errors. The Pioneers held strong, yet the Golden Flyers would use their offensive power to guide them to a set win and even the match at 1-1.
The Pioneers would bounce back with a strong set that included terrific offense and defense. Utica amassed 10 kills on the set and forced Nazareth into tough situations. The Pioneers continued to do a fantastic job setting up their heavy hitters as Kurstan Martin and Brianna Woods each record multiple kills courtesy of Madison Maggiore. However, a late Nazareth run led to a set victory and a 2-1 advantage in the match for the Golden Flyers.
Entering a crucial set, the Pioneers went back to their offense to provide a spark for the team. Led by Martin, Eleanor Cepiel, and Woods, the team was able to set up these strikers into kills. The team would play great defense and had phenomenal awareness of the out-of-bounds lines and won the set 25-22 forcing a decisive fifth set.
Utica utilized its momentum and the arena energy to jump out to an early lead in the fifth set. The Pioneers played well on both sides of the ball again and had timely kills to extend their lead. Nazareth would storm back to cut the lead to just two before the teams switched sides. Utica utilized strong serves and hard defense to edge out a 15-10 set win and a 3-2 match win.
The Pioneers offense was led by Kurstan Martin who had a phenomenal offensive day with 13 kills followed by Eleanor Cepiel (12), and Brianna Woods (nine). Utica had seven aces and McKenna LaPorte (three), Madison Maggiore (two), and Brianna Woods (one). Maggiore tallied 34 assists and recorded 13 digs which was best for third on the team behind Krystell Pappas (14), and Eleanor Cepiel (14).
Utica (9-6, 1-1 Empire 8) will travel to face SUNY Poly on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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