UTICA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team dropped a close one Wednesday evening as it fell to host the Sage Colleges 3-2 in Empire 8 Conference action. 
 
After falling 25-13 in the first set, the Pioneers stormed back to take the second set in a thrilling 28-26 win.  UC kept the momentum rolling into the third set as it came away with a 25-20 win to take a 2-1 advantage in the game.  Sage responded with take set four 25-20, and the Gators held on for a 15-9 win in the decisive fifth set to come away with the victory.
 
Freshman Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) posted a triple-double as she finished with 10 kills, 18 assists, and 11 digs.  Sophomore Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) led the Utica attack with 15 kills, while junior Meaghan Romaguera (Stone Ridge, NY/Rondout) was right on her heels with 14 kills to her credit. 
 
Sophomore Jenna Prewasnicak (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) had a game-high 25 assists in the loss and she also added a team-best two service aces.  Defensively, junior Briana Toledo (Ardsley, NY/Ardsley) finished with a career-high 27 digs, while Romaguera totaled 23 digs of her own. 
 
The Pioneers return home this weekend for a tri-match with Kings College and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The first game of the day is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start.