The Utica University volleyball team lost both of its matches today in the Medaille Tri-Match. The team lost 3-1 against Medaille University and 3-0 to William Smith College.
 
Medaille 3, Utica 1
 
The first set was back and forth as each team exchanged points to start the set 2-2. Medaille jumped out to a 9-5 lead before the Pioneers would strike back with a kill from Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug ). The Mavericks continued to hold a steady three-to-four-point advantage for the majority of the set and held a 20-15 advantage as its offense was clicking. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) assisted a few more kills for the Pioneers yet the Mavericks would hold on and win the set 25-17 and take a 1-0 edge in the match.
 
The second set continued the back and forth start as the teams exchanged points until the Pioneers were able to open an 8-6 advantage courtesy of some well-placed serves by Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham ). Medaille stormed back with a five-point scoring run as Halle Bogas recorded three service aces. The set remained close as the Mavericks held onto a slim lead before the Pioneers were able to tie the set and then gain an 18-17 edge. The teams continued to exchange blows and the set was tied at 23-23 before the Mavericks recorded two straight points to win the set 25-23 and hold a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
The third set continued the pattern of a close knit match with the teams exchanging leads. The set was tied 8-8 before a six-point scoring run by the Pioneers which was fueled by Maggiore. Maggiore tallied two service aces and a pair of assists during the run. Utica's offense started to find its rhythm and opened a 20-10 advantage as Brennan, Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names), and Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) all recorded a kill. A six-point scoring run for the Mavericks closed the gap to 21-16. The Pioneers held a 23-17 edge, yet the Mavericks would not go away and cut the Utica lead to 23-22. The Pioneers were able to hold on and escape the set with a 25-23 win and now trailed 2-1 in the match.
 
The Mavericks started the fourth set up 4-0 before the Pioneers were able to tie the set 4-4. The teams exchanged leads until the Mavericks had a 16-14 edge. Utica would cut the lead, yet Medaille would go ahead 20-16 as its offense was firing with multiple kills and service aces. Abriana Wadley's (Utica, NY/Proctor) pair of kills cut the lead to 20-19 before Medaille's offense was able to close out the set 25-22 and win the match 3-1.
 
Utica's offense was firing on all cylinders as Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) led the team with 15 kills followed by Woods (nine), and Brennan (seven). Maggiore totaled four service aces and Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) tallied three as the two led the Pioneer's serving. Defensively, Utica had Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern), Woods, and Maggiore all total more than two blocks. Cepiel and Pappas were anchors for the team as both had more than 20 digs.
 
William Smith 3, Utica 0
 
William Smith came out strong and opened with a 7-4 edge over Utica to begin the first set. The Pioneers were able to tie the set at 9-9 after a Brennan kill. Yet, the Herons opened a 12-9 advantage before the Pioneers tied the set 12-12 courtesy of a Woods kill and Maggiore service ace. William Smith continued to rely on its offense and won the set 25-18 and went up 1-0 in the match.
 
To begin the second set the Pioneers went up 4-1 as Maggiore recorded another service ace and Wadley tacked on a kill. William Smith would take the momentum and have an eight-point scoring run to lead the set 16-7. Utica would come back and cut the lead to 22-21 as its offense was on point and forced the Herons into multiple errors during the scoring run. Yet, a pair of William Smith kills led the Herons to win the set 25-22 and have a 2-0 advantage in the match.
 
The Herons continued their strong offense and created a 7-0 edge in the third set. The Pioneers cut the lead to 8-4 as Maggiore and Brennan each recorded a kill during the team's scoring run. William Smith's offense continued to produce, yet its defense was able to force Utica into a few errors. The Herons led 24-12 before a four-point scoring run yet won the set 25-16 and the match 3-0.
 
Brennan and Cepiel led the way offensively with kills as both totaled more than eight. Maggiore continued her excellent serving as she totaled four service aces and added 17 assists. Defensively, Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth) totaled three blocks while Cepiel and Pappas both totaled more than ten digs. 
 
Utica (13-10, 3-4 Empire 8) will return home for its senior night and host Russell Sage College on Friday, October 21 at 6 p.m.