Ithaca 3, Utica 0 - Box Score - (25-18, 25-15, 25-9)

St. John Fisher 3, Utica 0 - Box Score - (25-13, 25-14, 24-13) 

Elmira, N.Y. (9/25/2011) – The Utica College women's volleyball wrapped up its weekend at the first leg of the Empire 8 Conference Cross-Over Tournament hosted by Elmira College on Sunday.  The Pioneers lost two contests against Ithaca and St. John Fisher College. 

Freshman Alyssa Nicotera (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) led the way for the Pioneers on the day with a team-high ten kills, ten digs and two service aces over the course of two games.  Freshman Mariah Walker (Frankfort, NY/Franfort-Schuyler) added four kills, while classmate Kelle Furno added 13 assists.  Freshman Hayley Strife (Lowville, NY/Lowville) chipped in with two service aces for UC and sophomore Leah Kazalski (Greene, NY/Greene) added a team-best 15 digs. 

The Pioneers (1-16) will return to action on Wednesday when they host local rival SUNYIT.  The Pioneers will look for redemption after falling to the Wildcats in their season-opening contest on Sept. 6. 

In the first match of the day on Sunday the Pioneers lost 3-0 to the Bombers by the scores of 25-18, 25- 15,25-9.  Nicotera posted six kills in the loss, while Walker, Strife and Ashley Jones (Charlton, NY/Galway) each added two kills.  Kazalski tallied a team-high eight digs and Nicotera chipped in with six digs of her own. 

UC lost game two against St. John Fisher 3-0 (25-13, 25-14, 24-13).  Nicotera registered four kills and added four digs against the Cardinals, while Kazalski totaled a team-best seven digs.  Furno posted seven assists in the loss. 

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