UTICA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team opens up its 2016 campaign this weekend with five games over three days. First, the Pioneers will host SUNY Delhi on Thursday at 7 p.m. before traveling to SUNY Cortland for a tournament over the weekend.
WELCOME BACK: The Pioneers, who are coming off their most successful season in the conference in over a decade, return nine players from last year's squad… Senior standout
Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) returns for her final season looking to guide the team as the only senior… Blaszak is the active leader with 780 kills to her credit over her career… Sophomores
Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) and
Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) are back after their impressive freshmen campaigns… Voss led the team with 274 kills and 35 service aces last season, while Herringshaw was second on the squad with 71 blocks and added 148 kills… Also returning are veteran players
Andreana Kroup (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville),
Allison Della Penna (Batavia, NY/Batavia),
Taneill Davis (Coram, NY/Longwood),
Leah Octave (New Windsor, NY/Cornwall),
Abigail Mosenthin (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville), and
Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads).
NEWCOMERS: This year's roster features six new players looking to make a splash in the college game… Local players
Brooke Macisco (Mohawk, NY/Central Valley) and
Paige Klock (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer), Connecticut natives
Monique Fletcher (Waterford, CT/Norwich Free Academy) and
Megan Weiss (Windsor, CT/Northwest Catholic), as well as
Lindsey Hannel (Victor, NY/Victor) and
Holly Kalil (Inlet, NY/Town of Webb) look to make an impact in their first season.
FAMILIAR FACE: Over the offseason, the Pioneers hired 2016 graduate
Lora Allen (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) as an assistant coach… Allen was a three-year starter for the orange and blue and currently holds the career assist record (2,137) as the only player in UC history to reach the 2,000-assist milestone.
SCOUTING DELHI: The Broncos welcome back just two returners from last year's squad that went 17-17… Nine freshmen highlight the roster… This will be the first ever meeting between Utica and SUNY Delhi.
CORTLAND TOURNAMENT: Following Thursday's season-opener, the Pioneers will travel to SUNY Cortland for the Red Dragons' annual tournament… UC will face Fredonia and Wells on Friday (3 p.m. and 7 p.m.) before taking on Misericordia and Buffalo State on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. respectively.
GET THE APP: Utica Athletics recently launched a fan rewards program to promote fan engagement for all 26 of UC's intercollegiate sports… Powered by SuperFanU, the "Pioneer Pride Points" Fan Rewards app uses GPS tracking to recognize where fans are located at specified home games… Points can be earned by attending and "Checking In" to UC athletics games, participating in a variety of contests and interacting with social media platforms through the app… The App is available on all IPhone and Android devices by searching 'Pioneer Pride Points' in the Apple App Store or GooglePlay Market and is free to all Utica College students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and fans.
LOOKING AHEAD: The Pioneers will travel across town next Wednesday as they take on local rival, SUNY Poly… Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
