ELMIRA, NY - The Utica College Volleyball Team competed against one of the conference's top teams on Wednesday. Host Elmira College won in straight sets by scores of 25-14, 25-19, and 25-17 in an Empire 8 match at the Spiedel Gymnasium in Elmira.

The Pioneers fall to 1-3 overall, and in the Empire 8 Conference. Elmira improves to 4-1 overall, and 3-1 in the Empire 8 Conference.

The Pioneers were led by Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names), who logged seven kills and five digs. In the attacking department, Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) finished with six kills, and Rosemarie Fesko (Goshen, NY/Goshen Central) had five. Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) had the only two service aces of the night for the Pioneers and also recorded a team-best 12 assists. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) tacked on seven assists. Defensively, Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa), Caitlyn Curcurito (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa), and Cepiel each finished with one block. Brianna Toledo finished with twelve digs, while Johnson had seven and Cepiel finished with five.

Elmira was unrelenting throughout the match, with a 24.2 percent attack percentage. Savannah Terry had ten kills, Maddie Hampton had six service aces, Amelia Martin recorded three blocks, and Kassi Hastings set a total of 32 assists. The Soaring Eagles finished with 38 kills.

The Pioneers built a 5-1 lead in the first set before Elmira turned the tide with a 5-0 run to pull even, and the hosts ultimately pulled away to a 25-14 win.

Set two showed more promise, with the Pioneers rallying back from a small deficit to knot the set score at 11. Elmira answered back by posting ten of the next thirteen points, and the Pioneers dropped the middle frame 25-19.

The Pioneers played their closest set of the night for much of the way in set three before the Soaring Eagles secured match point at 25-17. Utica stayed within four to five points until a 16-14 score was broken open with a 9-3 run that closed the deal on the match for Elmira.

The Pioneers will be home on Saturday against Nazareth College. Match time is set for 1 p.m.