UTICA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team let an early lead slip away as visiting SUNY Poly erased a one-set deficit to win 3-1 in non-conference action Monday evening.
 
The Pioneers got straight to business as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first set.  The Wildcats were finally able to get on the board and the teams traded points until UC finally put it away winning 25-18.
 
The teams traded points in the second set, before SUNY Poly scored eight straight points to take a 16-8 lead.  UC battled back, but with the score tied 23-23, the visitors were able to score the final two points to even the match at 1-1.
 
Utica looked poised to take set three as it led 23-17, but the Wildcats stormed back, scoring 10 of the next 12 points to earn a 27-25 win in set three.  SUNY Poly kept its momentum rolling in the fourth set as it cruised to a 25-16 win to take the match by a score of 3-1.
 
Junior Meaghan Romaguera (Stone Ridge, NY/Rondout) led the Pioneers with 11 kills, while sophomore Rosemarie Fesko (Goshen, NY/Central) had nine kills.  Fesko and freshman Alicja Swiechowska (Carmel, NY/Carmel) led UC with four blocks each on the evening.
 
The Utica defense was led by freshman Taylor Crowley (Washington Township, NJ/Washington Township), who had a career-high 20 digs, while Romaguera chipped in with 14 digs of her own.  Jenna Prewasnicak (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili) led the Pioneers with 14 assists, while Casey Sims (Schenectady, NY/Niskayuna) was right behind her with 13 assists. 
 
The Pioneers look to bounce back Wednesday as they host Hamilton College.  Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.