UTICA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team gets back in action this weekend as it travels to its season-opening tournament, hosted by SUNY Cortland.  Utica will play four games over the weekend against the likes of Wells College, University of Rochester, Buffalo State, and host Cortland.  Games start at 3 p.m. Friday and 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
 
SENIORS LEADING THE WAY: The Pioneers return seniors Laura Homer-Gunther (Sauquoit, NY/Sauquoit), Alexis Lyon (Prospect, NY/Holland Patent), and Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) to help provide veteran leadership… The trio has been instrumental in the rebuilding of the program over the last three years… Homer-Gunther led the team with 65 blocks and ranked third on the squad with 175 kills in her junior campaign… Allen led UC with 752 assists and 29 service aces, and she was also second in digs (195) one year ago… Lyon collected 187 digs while playing in all 112 sets. 
 
BLASZAK BACK: Junior Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) is back after leading the team with 255 kills and adding 62 blocks in her sophomore season… As a freshman, she became the first player in program history to be voted to either the first or second All-Conference team. 
 
FRESHMAN PHENOM: Sophomore Samantha Hoerning (Farmingville, NY/Sachem East) looks to build off her promising freshman season that saw her collect 152 kills, 48 digs, and 23 blocks.
 
SOPHOMORE SUPPORT: Andreana Kroup (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville), Abigail Mosenthin (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville), and Taylor Bouse (Port Byron, NY/Port Byron) will add veteran guidance with one season of collegiate play under their belts… The group appeared in a combined total of 47 matches during their freshmen campaigns.
 
NEWCOMERS: The Pioneers welcome ten new faces to the team this year including sophomore Taneill Davis (Coram, NY/Longwood) and freshmen Allison Della Penna (Batavia, NY/Batavia), Tara Kemp (Middletown, NY/Middletown), Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse), Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville), Brianna Ettori (Hampton, NY/Granville), Malissa Maines (Middleport, NY/Royalton-Hartland), Anna Bush (Croghan, NY/Beaver River), Leah Octave (New Windsor, NY/Cornwall), and Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads). 
 
WHAT THE COACH SAYS: Head coach Aris Bird, who is entering her third season at the helm, is optimistic about the season.  "I'm really impressed with our freshmen, who came in ready to play," says Bird.  "Whenever I need them, they're ready to jump in.  And I'm impressed with my upperclassmen.  They've really led the program this year.  They've been great role models and they're guiding us to where we need to be… Our scrimmage last weekend was excellent for us.  We saw a lot of play, a lot of great volleyball and we saw what our strengths are and what we need to work on.  I'm really excited to watch us play this weekend and see how far we can go this year."