UTICA, NY- The Utica College volleyball team dropped a nail-biter Wednesday evening as it fell to SUNY Delhi 3-1 in the Pioneers' home-opener.
 
Trailing 24-23 in the opening set, Utica was able to rattle off three straight points to take a 1-0 lead in the match.  Delhi responded with a 25-17 win in set two to even the score, before sneaking out a 26-24 win in set three. With the momentum on their side, the Broncos sealed the deal with a 25-14 win in the fourth set to improve to 2-2 on the year.  Utica meanwhile drops to 0-4.
 
Senior Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) led the Utica offense with 12 kills and she also chipped in with eight digs, while both Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) had six kills each.  Cepiel was second on the squad with 11 digs, while Woods had six digs to go along with her three blocks and two service aces, both of which were team-highs.
 
Freshman Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) had another strong showing as she finished with a team-leading 20 digs.  Sophomores Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) and Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) totaled 18 and 14 assists, respectively. 
 
The Pioneers return to action Saturday as they travel to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts for a tri-match featuring the MCLA Trailblazers and the Norwich Cadets.  Utica's first match up of the day is against Norwich at 1 p.m.