ELMIRA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team picked up a split on its first day of Empire 8 Conference action Saturday at the E8 pod hosted by Elmira College. The Pioneers fell to the host Soaring Eagles 3-1, before earning a 3-2 comeback win over Sage to finish the day.
Utica 1, Elmira 3- Game One Final
The Pioneers got out to a quick start as they took the first set 25-23, but the Soaring Eagles responded to win the second set 25-19 to even the score. Elmira picked up a lopsided 25-4 win in the second set and then used its momentum to top the Pioneers 25-12 in the fourth set to come away with the 3-1 victory.
Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) led the Utica offense with five kills, while
Meaghan Romaguera (Stone Ridge, NY/Rondout) had four kills and
Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) was right behind her with three kills to open the day.
Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) aided the offense with 15 assists, while
Jenna Prewasnicak (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) had four assists.
Seniors
Miranda Stockbridge (Waterville, NY/Waterville) and
Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville) led the Utica defense. Stockbridge had a season-high five blocks, while Voss had a team-best 21 digs. Romaguera also chipped in with 16 digs and Faroni totaled nine digs.
Utica 3, Sage 2- Game Two Final
Once again the Pioneers got out to a fast start as they took set one 25-7, but the Gators responded to win the next two sets (25-21, 25-23) and inch closer to the win. Utica was not to be outdone, however as it picked up a 25-15 win in set four to force a deciding fifth set. The teams traded points in the fifth set but it was Utica that earned the 15-13 win to take the match 3-2.
Nicole Herringshaw (Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) led all players with 16 kills in the win, while
Miranda Stockbridge (Waterville, NY/Waterville) and
Meaghan Romaguera (Stone Ridge, NY/Rondout) combined for 13 kills. Freshman
Jenna Prewasnicak (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) had a team-high 19 assists, while senior
Marissa Faroni (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) had 17.
Four players had over 10 digs on the day, led by senior
Hannah Voss (St. Louis, MO/Oakville), who had a season-high 32. Romaguera was second on the squad with 17 digs, followed by Prewasnicak (12), and
Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) had 11. Voss also led the Pioneers with five aces.
The Pioneers have now won three of their last four. They look to carry their momentum into a big non-conference match up at cross-town rival, SUNY Poly on Friday. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
