UTICA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team jumped out to a fast start and did not let up as it cruised to a 3-0 victory over visiting SUNY Delhi in the season opener Thursday evening at the Clark Gymnasium.
 
Utica opened the game on an 8-0 run and did not relinquish the lead as it coasted to a 25-14 first set victory.  UC kept the pressure on the Broncos in set two, winning 25-12, before closing out the match with a 25-14 third-set victory.
 
Senior Brandi Blaszak (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro) led the Pioneers with 11 kills and five aces on the evening, while sophomore Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) chipped in with a team-high 15 assists and added five kills and four aces to her credit. Classmate Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) also totaled five kills and added three blocks at the net, while Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads)a led the defense with 12 digs.
 
Freshmen Megan Weiss (Windsor, CT/Northwest Catholic) added 14 assists of her own in her first collegiate game, while Leah Octave (New Windsor, NY/Cornwall) contributed eight digs and four service aces.
 
The Pioneers will hit the road this weekend as they head to the Red Dragon Invitational, hosted by SUNY Cortland.  Utica will take on Fredonia at 3 p.m. on Friday, followed by a match up against Wells College at 7 p.m.