Utica, NY (9/27/14)- The Utica College volleyball team split on the second day of the Wildcat Classic, hosted by SUNYIT, Saturday afternoon.  The Pioneers fell to the host Wildcats 3-1 in the opening game, before defeating Elmira 3-1 in the second game of the day.  With the win over Elmira, the Pioneers snap a four-game losing streak.
 
Once again, sophomore Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) led the team with nine kills and two aces in game one.  Freshman Alaina Wickwire (Towanda, PA/Towanda) had eight kills followed by Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) with five, and Samantha Hoerning (Farmingville, NY/Sachem East) with four.  Junior Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) had 27 assists, and senior Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) had 11 digs, marking her tenth game with ten or more digs.
 
Utica rebounded in the second game of the day to knock off Elmira College behind a 12-kill performance by Blaszak.  Senior Ashley Jones (Charlton, NY/Galway) was second on the squad with nine kills and Homer-Gunther, Wickwire, and Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) each had six kills. Allen also tallied 35 assists in the win, while Briona Enny (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) had 24 digs, and Chelsea Lauria (Erieville, NY/Cazenovia) chipped in with 11 digs of her own. 
 
The Pioneers (7-9) will travel to Houghton College next Saturday for their second Empire 8 pod of the season. UC will take on Ithaca College at 1:30 p.m. and Houghton at 4 p.m.



                                                                                                                                        --- www.ucpioneers.com ---