TROY, NY- The Utica College volleyball team dropped a 3-1 decision to Empire 8 newcomer, Sage Thursday evening in conference action.
 
The Pioneers took the first set 25-21, but the Gators responded to win the next three sets (25-21, 25-16, 25-22) to come away with the victory.  Sage led UC in most statistical categories, but the Pioneers totaled six blocks, compared to the Gators' three and UC also edged Sage in digs, 86-85.
 
Junior Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) led the Pioneers with 11 kills on the evening, while classmate Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) had a team-high three aces and three blocks and she finished second on the squad with eight kills. Allison Della Penna (Batavia, NY/Batavia) chipped in on both sides of the net with five kills and two blocks.
 
Junior Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) and sophomore Jessica Macheda (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia) aided the offense as each totaled 11 assists on the day.  Defensively, four players recorded at least 10 digs, led by senior Abigail Mosenthin (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville), who had 20.  Voss tallied 19 digs, followed by Faroni (13) and Macheda (12).
 
The Pioneers will return home on Saturday as they host a tri match against Bryn Mawr and SUNY Delhi.  The action kicks off at 11 a.m. as UC takes on Bryn Mawr.