Cortland, NY - The Utica College volleyball team traveled to SUNY Cortland on Friday afternoon to take on Fredonia in the Cortland Red Dragon Classic. After taking set one the Pioneers dropped the following three sets to the Blue Devils as UC fell 3-1. 
 
UC took the first set of the match however, it wouldn't happen without a threat by the Blue Devils. Up 12-9, the Pioneers quickly surrendered the lead to fall behind 13-12. After reclaiming the lead at 14-13, Fredonia bounced back to go ahead 19-15. It was virtually all UC from that point on as they outscored Fredonia 10-1 to end the set and win it, 25-20. 
 
Down 3-0 to start the second set, the Blue Devils found themselves in the midst of a 12-2 run to lead 12-5. Later in the set behind 16-11, Utica battled back to make it a 23-21 set. However, Fredonia took two of the next three to claim the set and even the match at one. 
 
The third set was back-and-forth with both teams going point-for-point to start the set with the teams even at nine. However, Fredonia went on a 5-0 run to climb ahead 14-9 which led to a UC timeout. Following the break in play, UC fought back to come within two, making it a 15-13 set. The Blue Devils went on to extend their lead to 19- 14 and never looked back, taking the third set, 25-18. 
 
The Pioneers began the fourth set on a 3-0 run before Fredonia took the next four points to take a 4-3 lead. From there, the Blue Devils responded to each UC point and never allowed them to climb back into the set, claiming it 25-21 and ultimately the match, 3-1. 
 
Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) led the Pioneers with nine kills, followed by Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) with five and Julyanna Sauschuck (Huguenot, NY/Port Jervis) with four. Sauschuck also led UC with three blocks. 
 
UC (0-1) returns to action on Saturday when they will play a pair of games across town at SUNY Poly. The Pioneers take on the Wildcats at noon before battling Plattsburgh St. at 2 p.m.