UTICA, NY - The Utica College volleyball team is set to play four games this week starting with a home match against Morrisville St. on Wednesday, September 15 at 7 p.m. UC will then travel to Oswego for a weekend tournament where they will play SUNY Canton on September 17 at 8 p.m. followed by two games on September 18 against St. Lawrence at 1 p.m. and SUNY Potsdam at 3 p.m.
How to Watch: Fans can follow along on Wednesday with live stream and/or live stats by following
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/utica/.
Last Time Out: Utica fell 3-1 to Hamilton College on Monday night in Clinton, NY.
Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) led the Pioneers with seven kills, followed by
Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) with six and Briana Woods and
Caitlyn Curcurito (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) with four each.
Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) totaled 14 assists in the losing effort while
Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) finished with eight. Cepiel also led Utica on defense with 15 digs while Martin and
Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) recorded 10 each.
Player of the Week: Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) was named Empire 8 Volleyball Player of the Week for the week of September 6-12. Martin led all Utica players with 38 kills over three games last week while also finishing with 31 digs and six service aces. Martin recorded a season-high 15 kills on a .359 hitting percentage to go along with four service aces against MCLA on Saturday afternoon. In the team's first win of the season against Norwich on Saturday, Martin totaled 14 digs, 11 kills, one assist and one service ace.
What Sophomore Slump?: Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) has picked up in her second season where she left off in her first. She currently ranks third in the Empire 8 with a .291 hitting percentage, leads the team with 13 blocks and is second on the team with 72 points and 55 kills.
Like a Seasoned Vet: Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) has shined defensively through seven games in her freshman season. She not only leads the Pioneers with 109 digs and an .891 reception percentage, but the Owensboro, KY native is currently fifth in the E8 with a mark of 3.76 digs per set. On offense, Pappas is second on the team with 14 service aces behind only
Madison Maggiore's (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) 21.
Scouting Morrisville: The Mustangs started its season with an impressive 5-0 record that included wins over SUNY Poly, Hartwick, Sage, Oswego St. and Hood College. However, Morrisville enters Wednesday's match at Utica in the midst of a three-game losing skid. Brianna Gates leads the Mustangs with 115 kills while Kirsten Florio sits not too far behind with 95 of her own. Gates also leads the unit with 56 digs while Emily Huppee provides a presence around the net with 21 blocks.
Canton Overview: SUNY Canton will go into Oswego with an 0-7 record and have yet to win a set thus far. Alyssa Adams leads the Kangaroos with 28 kills and 31.5 points while Peyton Nadeau and Nicole O'Connor lead the team with 20 digs each.
A Look at St. Lawrence: The Saints enter the Oswego St. Tournament with an overall 4-4 mark thanks to a current four-game winning streak. Natalie Piper leads the team with 108 kills and 17 service aces while also finding herself second on the team with 85 kills.
Bring on the Bears: SUNY Potsdam enters the week at 2-2 and will play three more games before meeting against Utica. The Bears are led on offense by Jessica Ader with 39 kills and a .224 hit percentage and Mikayla Myers who has 34 kills on a .228 hit percentage. Nikki Ramirez, who leads the team with seven service aces, has been the top defender with 56 digs.
