Box Score Rochester, NY (10/25/13)- The Utica College volleyball team snapped a three-game losing streak as it downed Alfred University 3-2 Friday evening at the Empire 8 Conference crossover tournament hosted by Nazareth College.

Both teams traded wins, but the Pioneers were able to secure the 15-12 victory in the fifth and final set to earn their first conference victory of the season. Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) and Cassandra Manzer (Portcrane, NY/Chenango Valley) each had a team-high 12 kills, while freshman Carly Lonczak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) led the way for UC with 21 assists and also added nine digs.

Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) had 20 assists and a team-best 12 digs, while freshman Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) had eight kills. Cassi Brancato (Gloversville, NY/Mayfield), Chelsea Lauria (Erieville, NY/Cazenovia), and Diamond DeVane (Ridge, NY/Longwood) also tallied kills in the outing and junior Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) and freshman Alexis Lyon (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) combined for 14 digs.

Utica moves to 9-21 on the season and 1-3 in the Empire 8 Conference. The Pioneers return to action Saturday for an E8 double-header featuring St. John Fisher and Elmira College. UC takes on Fisher at 10 a.m. followed by a match up against Elmira at 12:30 p.m.


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