UTICA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team dropped the 2017 Empire 8 Conference opener Wednesday evening as it fell to visiting Hartwick College 3-1. 
 
The Pioneers took the first game 25-19, but the Hawks responded to win the next three (25-19, 25-12, 25-12) to come away with the victory.  Hartwick improves to 6-7 on the year and 1-0 in the E8, while the Pioneers fall to 3-10 overall (0-1 E8).
 
The teams were evenly matched in most statistical categories, however Hartwick had a huge 18-5 advantage on service aces. 
 
Junior Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) had a season-high 17 kills, and she also led the squad with three blocks to pace the Pioneers.  Classmate Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) had a team-best three aces and she finished second on the squad in both kills (seven) and digs (14). 
 
Junior Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) aided the offense with a season-high 25 assists, and senior Abigail Mosenthin (Dolgeville, NY/Dolgeville) led the defense with 22 digs.  Faroni also collected nine digs on the evening and freshman Jessica Macheda (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia) finished second on the squad with eight assists. 
 
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday as they travel to Houghton College for a pair of Empire 8 Conference matches against Houghton and Stevens Institute of Technology.