Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Ithaca, NY (10/12/13)- The Utica College volleyball team salvaged a split on the second day of the Ithaca Invitational Saturday afternoon.  The Pioneers lost to Medaille College 3-1 in the first match, before bouncing back to defeat Wells College 3-1.

UC jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first match, taking the opening set against Medaille 25-22, however the Mavericks fought back, winning the next three sets to take the match.  Freshman Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) matched her career-high with 14 kills and added five blocks to lead the Pioneers.  Sophomore Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) had a team-best 16 assists, while Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) added 16 digs to pace UC.  Junior Cassandra Manzer (Portcrane, NY/Chenango Valley) had eight kills, followed by Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) with seven.  Allen also had 14 digs on the day, while freshman Carly Lonczak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) had an impressive outing with 15 assists and 12 digs. 

In the second match, junior Cassandra Manzer (Portcrane, NY/Chenango Valley) led to way for Utica, recording a season-high 18 kills.  Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) had ten kills and three blocks, while Blaszak had nine kills and a game-high seven blocks.  Allen and Lonczak combined for 33 assists, while Chelsea Lauria (Erieville, NY/Cazenovia), Liz Sacco (Franklin, Mass. /Franklin), and Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) also added helpers.  Enny once again led the Pioneers with 14 digs, followed by Alexis Lyon (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) with 12, and Allen and Blaszak with ten each.  Lauria, Manzer, Hayley Strife (Lowville, NY/Lowville), Cassi Brancato (Gloversville, NY/Mayfield), Carly Lonczak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro), Sacco, and Homer-Gunther also tallied digs.

Chelsea Lauria (Erieville, NY/Cazenovia) was Utica's lone representative on the All-Tournament team after her performance over the four matches.  Utica (7-17) will return to action on October 18, as the Pioneers head to Oneonta, NY for the Hartwick College Holiday Inn Invitational. UC will take on Oneonta State in the first match at 6 p.m.


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