Utica, NY (9/18/14)- The Utica College volleyball team opens up conference play this weekend as it travels to Nazareth College for the first E8 pod of the season…  The Pioneers will take on Alfred University at 1:30 p.m. followed by a match up against Nazareth College at 4 p.m.
 
LAST TIME OUT: The Pioneers (5-5) downed Cobleskill in three straight matches. The offense was led by sophomore Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro), who totaled 11 kills and added two blocks and two digs on the evening... Behind Blaszak was freshman standout Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda) with nine kills and three digs and junior Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) picked up a game-best 32 assists… Leading the defense was Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) and Alexis Lyon (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) scooping up 11 digs each.
 
BLASZAK HONORED: Sophomore Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) was named Utica College's Female Athlete of the Week for her performances over the course of three games last week… On the season, she leads the team with 113.5 points and 92 kills.
 
REDEMPTION: UC defeated Alfred 3-2 last season and fell 3-0 to Nazareth  in their only meetings. 
 
SCOUTING ALFRED: The Saxons (3-9) are coming off a 1-3 weekend at the Oswego Invite… Their lone win came by way of a 3-1 victory over Bard College… Alfred is led by Chelsea Pierzykowski with 77 kills on the season.
 
SCOUTING NAZ: The Golden Flyers (9-4) are coming off a 3-2 loss to Fredonia Thursday evening… Naz is led by Madi Wickens who has a team-best 375 assists and ranks second on the squad in service aces (21) and digs (94)… Senior Maria Allocco leads the team and the Empire 8 in kills with 127 on the season.
 
LOOKING AHEAD: The Pioneers will continue conference play as they travel to Hartwick College on Tuesday to take on  the Hawks. Match time is scheduled for 7 p.m. 


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