UTICA, NY - The Utica College volleyball team refused to quit trailing 2-0, evening the match at 2-2 before falling short in the fifth set to the SUNY Cobleskill Tigers on Tuesday night.
 
The Tigers were in full control over the first two sets, handling the Pioneers 25-13 and 25-22. However, UC showed its grit in the third, starting the set on an 8-1 run. Later in the set up 16-13, UC was able to create some separation to jump ahead 22-13. UC went on to win the set 25-20. 
 
In the fourth set, UC saw its early 4-2 lead slip away as the Tigers went on to jump ahead 6-4 in the early stages. The Cobleskill lead grew to 12-4 however, the grit of the Pioneers never faded away. The team exploded for a 10-0 run to reclaim the lead at 14-12. After the teams traded points, UC was still in the driver's seat, 20-18. However, the Tigers jumped back out to a 21-20 lead with the teams continuing to trade blows. Utica then rattled off four points in a row to retake the lead before ultimately claiming the set, 25-23. 
 
UC held an early 3-1 advantage and later, a 9-7 advantage in the fifth set before the engine ran out of steam. The Tigers finished the set on an 8-2 run to avoid blowing a 2-0 lead and denying the Pioneers the comeback. 
 
Kustan Martin led Utica with 14 kills while Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) ended the match with 13. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) assisted on 27 kills, leading the team, while Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) ended the night with 26 digs. Maggiore also led the team with four aces. 
 
UC (3-9) is back home on Friday at 7 p.m. when they host Houghton College to begin Empire 8 play.