PLATTSBURGH, NY- The Utica College volleyball team dropped its 2018 season opener Friday evening as it fell to Plymouth State 3-0 in non-conference action at the Cardinal Classic hosted by Plattsburgh State.
 
After falling down 2-0, the Pioneers battled back in the third set to take a 21-17 lead.  Plymouth State slowly inched its way back as Utica held just a 23-22 lead, before the Panthers regained control, scoring the final three points to come away with the straight-set victory.
 
Senior Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) led the Pioneers with 10 kills, followed by sophomore Meaghan Romaguera (Stone Ridge, NY/Rondout), who totaled six kills.  Megan Rice (Leverett, MA/Amherst Regional) and Lindsey Hannel (Victor, NY/Victor) chipped in offensively with four kills each. 
 
Defensively, Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) led the team with 14 digs, while freshman Casey Sims (Schenectady, NY/Niskayuna) got in on the action with 11 digs of her own.  Romaguera and Miranda Stockbridge (Waterville, NY/Waterville) each tallied two blocks on the evening.  Sims also chipped in on the offense as she had a team-high 15 assists, while Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) had eight assists.
 
The Pioneers return to action Saturday as they face Plattsburgh State at 11 a.m and SUNY Canton at 3 p.m.