Pittsford, NY – The Utica College volleyball team rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat host St. John Fisher College 3-2 in Empire 8 Conference action on Saturday. The Pioneers lost the first two sets of the contest 28-26 and 25-21, before clawing back with three straight set victories (25-22, 25-14, 15-9) to earn their first win over the Cardinals in over 15 years.
Senior
Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit) paced the Pioneers (3-19, 1-5 Empire 8) with 13 kills and a game-high four blocks in the win over Fisher (10-9, 1-3 Empire 8). Brandi Blaszek added a team-high 14 kills for Utica, while
Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) chipped in with eight kills and three blocks in the victory.
The Pioneers dropped the night cap to Elmira College 3-0 by the scores of 25-15, 25-19 and 25-20. The Soaring Eagles improved to 11-8 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) combined for 49 assists over the course of both games, including 35 in the win over Fisher. Homer-Gunther totaled 18 kills on the day to go along with five blocks and two assists. Blaszek finished the day with a team-best 19 kills, 11 digs, six blocks and eight assists.
Alexis Lyon (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent) posted 43 digs on the afternoon, while
Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) added 10 kills and 20 digs over the course of two matches.
The Pioneers return to the hardwood on Thursday night when they host SUNY Polytechnic on Senior Night as they celebrate their final home contest of the regular season. UC is also hosting its annual "Dig Pink" Night to raise money for the fight against breast cancer. The contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. at the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center Gymnasium.
