Utica 3, Oswego 0 - (25-20, 25-15, 26-24) - Box Score

Hartwick 3, Utica 0 - (25-9, 27-25, 25-12)  - Box Score

Sage 3, Utica 0 - (25-17, 25-12, 25-19) - Box Score

Union 3, Utica 0 - (25-10, 25-7, 25-9) - Box Score

Schenectady, N.Y. (9/17/2011) - The Utica College volleyball team earned its first victory of the season on Saturday when the Pioneers cruised to a 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-15, 26-24) over Oswego State University at the Union College Invitational.  Sophomore Liz Sacco (Franklin, Mass. /Franklin) led the way for the Pioneers with 11 kills and three digs in the win over the Lakers, while freshman Mariah Walker (Frankfort, NY/Franfort-Schuyler) posted ten kills on her way to earning All-Tournament Team honors for UC. 

The Pioneers finished the weekend with a 1-3 record and their overall record moved to 1-10 on the year.  Freshman outside hitter Alyssa Nicotera (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) led all hitters with 18 kills and she added a team-high 43 digs.  In three of four games over the weekend she posted at least five kills and 11 digs. On the year, she leads the Pioneers with 44 kills, to go along with 87 digs.  

Walker finished the weekend ranked second on the team with 17 kills, while Sacco posted 14 kills and six blocks. 

Sophomore Hayley Strife (Lowville, NY/Lowville) and junior Krisztina Welch combined for 17 kills and 13 blocks over the course of four games.  Welch's top game came against Oswego when she totaled five kills and added five blocks, while Strife also totaled five kills and tacked on three blocks against the Lakers. 

Kellee Furno (Baltimore, MD/Maryvalle), a freshman setter, came on strong over the weekend, totaling 53 assists and seven digs in 12 games played.  She tallied a career-high 28 assists in the Pioneers 3-0 sweep of Oswego.  Junior Mimi O'Hara (Highland Falls, NY/James I. O'Neill) transitioned to a new role and tallied 31 digs, including a team-best 13 in the Pioneers' 3-0 loss to Hartwick on Friday.

The Pioneers return to action on Monday when they travel to Cazenovia College for a much anticipated rematch against the Wildcats at 7 p.m.  Caz came out on top 3-1 when Utica hosted the first meeting between the two program's earlier this year.  However, after the Wildcats lost to Oswego at the Union Invitational, the Pioneers are confident that they can put forth a better showing against Cazenovia this time around. 

UC returns home on Wednesday to take on Oswego at 7 p.m.

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