The Utica College women's volleyball team suffered losses to Hartwick College and St. John Fisher College this weekend at the Hartwick Tournament.

Freshman Chloe Pierce (Richview/Toronto, ON) racked up six kills, three service aces, six digs and also a solo block but could not help capture the victory for UC. The Pioneers opened the match by losing the first two games, 25-20 and 25-17, respectively. In a close, final battle, the Hawks went on to steal the match with a 25-23 win.

The Cardinals of St. John Fisher then swept the Pioneers in the next match-up of the tournament. Pierce totaled eight kills, and a team-high nine digs and two blocks. Brielle Swerdlin (West Morris Mendham/Chester, NJ) added eight kills of her own, while registering two service aces and five digs. Miranda Austin (Beaver River/Castorland) did her part as she completed 17 assists during the losing effort.

Pierce now has tallied a team-best 109 kills and 14 aces on the season, while Miranda Austin raises her season assist total to 267, good for first on the team.

Hartwick defeated Utica in straight games during last year's meeting while Fisher beat the Pioneers on two occasions in 2007. With the losses on Saturday, UC drops to 1-13 overall, while Hartwick improves to 5-9 and Fisher advances to 9-6.

The Pioneers return to action on Monday, Sept. 22 when they host Cazenovia College at 7 p.m.

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