Utica, NY (10/25/14)- The Utica College volleyball team fell in both games of its Empire 8 pod Saturday afternoon, losing to St. John Fisher College 3-1 before falling to Elmira in a heartbreaking five-set match.
Utica 1, St. John Fisher 3 (25-19, 13-25, 23-25, 19-25)
Utica got off on the right foot as the Pioneers took the first game, 25-19, however the Cardinals rallied to win the next three sets, 25-13, 25-23, and 25-19.
Junior
Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) had a team-high 12 kills, while
Samantha Hoerning (Farmingville, NY/Sachem East),
Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda), and
Ashley Jones (Charlton, NY/Galway) each had six kills on the day. Junior
Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) led the squad with 16 digs, while
Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) and Wickwire each recorded 14 digs. Allen also led the team with 30 assists.
Utica 2, Elmira 3 (19-25, 27-25, 24-26, 25-22, 12-15)
The Soaring Eagles took the first set, before Utica rebounded in set two to even the score. Down 2-1, the Pioneers opened the fourth set on a tear, scoring the first 11 points. The Soaring Eagles battled back, but Utica was able to hold on for the 25-22 victory to once again tie the game.
The fifth and final set was packed with back-and-forth action, but Elmira pulled away late to win the set 15-12 and take the match by a final score of 3-2.
Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) and
Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) led UC with 12 kills and four total blocks apiece, while
Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) and
Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda) combined for 43 digs.
Andreana Kroup (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) was third on the team with a season-high 17 digs.
Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) had 10 digs and a team-best 33 assists, and
Samantha Hoerning (Farmingville, NY/Sachem East) added eight digs and seven kills for Utica.
The Pioneers fall to 9-22 on the year and wrap up Empire 8 Conference play with a 1-7 record. Utica will conclude its season next Saturday as it travels to the Houghton Tournament. UC will take on Cortland at 11 a.m. followed by Buffalo State at 1 p.m.
--- www.ucpioneers.com -
