Box Score Utica, NY (9/25/13)- The Utica College volleyball team lost a heartbreaker, 3-0, Wednesday night in Empire 8 Conference action against Nazareth College.  Freshman Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) had a game-high 12 kills on the evening, while junior Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) led all players with 14 digs.

Despite the 3-0 final score, the Pioneers put up a fight in each set, falling 25-20, 28-26, and 25-16.  In the second set, Utica held a 25-24 lead and needed just one point to take the set and even the match, however the Golden Flyers were able to come back and score the winner.

Junior Cassandra Manzer (Portcrane, NY/Chenango Valley) was second on the team in kills and added a team-best three solo blocks, while Chelsea Lauria (Erieville, NY/Cazenovia) had four kills and added two digs.  Alyssa Nicotera (New York Mills, NY/New York Mills) and Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) each had three kills, and Liz Sacco (Franklin, Mass. /Franklin) chipped in with two kills of her own.  Sophomore Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) led the way with 20 assists and also added six digs, while classmate Alexis Lyon (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) was second on the team with eight digs.  Freshman Carly Lonczak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) added seven assists and senior Cassi Brancato (Gloversville, NY/Mayfield) added three digs as well. 

Naz improves to 14-3 (2-0 Empire 8), while UC drops to 4-10 (0-3 E8).  The Pioneers return to action this weekend as they travel across town to the Wildcat Classic at SUNYIT. Utica takes on Cazenovia on Friday at 4 p.m. before facing SUNY Canton at 8 p.m.



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