CAMBRIDGE, MA- The Utica College volleyball team dropped the opening game of the MIT Invitational as it fell to Hunter College 3-0 in non-conference action Friday evening. 
 
The Pioneers jumped out to a 9-3 lead in the first set, but the Hawks responded to score eight of the next nine points to take the lead. The teams traded control over the next few points, but Hunter was able to come away with the 25-17 win in set one.
 
Hunter picked up where it left off as it jumped out to a 13-6 lead in the second set and went on to win 25-15.  The Hawks again jumped out to an early lead in set three, before the Pioneers came within one, 8-7.  Hunter was able to regain control and take the third set 25-16 to pick up the straight-set victory.
 
Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) led the Pioneers with eight kills, followed by Meaghan Romaguera (Stone Ridge, NY/Rondout) with four kills, and Miranda Stockbridge (Waterville, NY/Waterville) with three.  Senior Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) aided the offense with a team-high 13 assists on the evening.
 
Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) led the squad with 19 digs, while Romaguera and Casey Sims (Schenectady, NY/Niskayuna) combined for 15 digs in the loss.
 
The Pioneers will wrap up the weekend on Saturday against MIT (10:30 a.m.) and Kings College (1 p.m.)