The Utica College women's volleyball team lost three matches and won one during the first half of the Empire 8 Tournament this past weekend in Hoboken, NJ.

    The Empire 8 Tournament, conducted in a round-robin style play, drew UC against the Saxons of Alfred University.  Freshman Audrey Cross (Webb Union/White Lake) donated six kills, 11 digs, and three solo blocks to help the Pioneers edge the Saxons 3-2.  The two evenly matched teams traded off victories until the fifth and final game when Utica outscored Alfred 15-13 to take the win.  Melissa Austin (Beaver River/Castorland) added 16 kills and 42 digs while her sister Miranda Austin (Beaver River/Castorland) pitched in 45 assists.  Alfred tallied 45 kills, 120 digs, and an impressive 26 blocks during the losing performance.  With the loss the Saxons drop to 1-10.

    During the second match of the day, St. John Fisher College defeated UC 25-15, 25-12, and 25-23 respectively, to capture the win.  Despite the outcome, sophomore Brielle Swerdlin (West Morris Mendham/Chester, NJ) tallied seven kills on 23 attempts and also recorded an assist and four digs.  With the win, Fisher improves to 11-7.

    On the following day, UC faced the Tigers of RIT.  After coming out strong, UC went on to lose the match in straight games.  Nichole Boxler from RIT helped to carry her team with three kills, 23 assists, 12 digs, and a solo block.  In the loss, freshman Chloe Pierce (Richview/Toronto, ON) registered a team-high eight kills, 11 digs, and five clean returns.  RIT improves to 9-11 with the victory.

    In the fourth and final match of the weekend, UC failed to produce against tournament host Stevens.  Utica only managed to scrounge up eight kills on 69 attempts, including 19 errors, and six assists as they lost in straight sets to the conference rival.  Stevens improves to an impressive 13-4 with the win, and remains undefeated in conference play.  The rest of the Empire 8 Tournament will conclude on Oct. 24 and 25. at Hartwick College.

    After the weekend matches, the Pioneers now stand at 3-17 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.  They return to action on Wednesday Oct. 8, when they visit cross-town rival SUNYIT for a 7 p.m. match-up.
    

                              --- www.ucpioneers.com ---