The Utica College women's volleyball team defeated visiting Cazenovia College 3-0 in non-conference action at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center Monday evening. The Pioneers swept the Wildcats in straight sets (25-21, 25-9, 25-22) and avenged a 3-1 loss at the hands of Cazenovia earlier this season.

UC has won two of their last five contests and they improved to 2-13 overall this year, while Cazenovia dropped to 1-14 overall. The Pioneers are now 7-1 against the Wildcats dating back to Sept. 7, 2005.

Freshman Chloe Pierce (Richview/Toronto, ONT) led the way for the Pioneers with 12 kills and 12 digs, marking the third time this season she has tallied double-digit kills. Junior Melissa Austin (Beaver River/Castorland) added eight kills and a season-high six service aces in the victory, while sister Miranda Austin (Beaver River/Castorland), a freshman setter, added 28 helpers for the Pioneers. Junior middle hitter Brielle Swerdlin (West Morris Mendham/Chester, NJ) recorded seven kills, five digs and two blocks, while Audrey Cross (Webb Union/White Lake) registered four digs and one service ace.

UC travels to Oswego on Wednesday to take on the Lakers in a non-conference bill at 7 p.m. This coming weekend the Pioneers head to Hoboken, NJ for the Empire 8 Conference Cross-Over Tournament host by Stevens Institute of Technology on Saturday and Sunday.

Cazenovia is set to host Keuka College and SUNY Cobleskill for a three team tournament this weekend at the Stephen M. Schneeweiss Athletic Center. The contest is scheduled to begin at noon.

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