The Utica University volleyball team fell to Hartwick College 3-1 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Utica began the first set up 9-5 as its offense was clicking and Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) and Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) registered impressive kills. Hartwick stormed right back and was able to tie the game at 9-9 after recording three service aces. The Hawks continued to rely on their offense as the team was setting up its outside hitters well and was up 18-12. Utica battled back, yet would ultimately fall 25-16 and Hartwick took a 1-0 advantage in the match.
 
Hartwick's offense continued to produce and the team started the second set hot and was up 9-2. Utica battled and its defense was playing well and was able to limit scoring rallies for Hartwick. The Pioneers cut the lead to 15-13 before Hartwick opened a scoring run to put the Hawks ahead 21-14. A few timely blocks by Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth), Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern), and Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) helped the Pioneers inch closer, yet Hartwick won the set 25-18 and was up 2-0 in the match.
 
The Pioneers' offense started to click as Martin, Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor), and McKenna LaPorte (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) helped the team hold an 8-1 edge to start the third set. Utica's offense was rolling and led 20-8 as Martin, Cepiel, and Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) all were playing key parts in the offensive attack. Hartwick cut into the lead, yet Utica won the set 25-18 as Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) had a sizzling kill to win the set and the Pioneers were now down 2-1 in the match.
 
The Hawks led the fourth set 4-0 off a pair of service aces. Yet, Utica's offense got hot again and had a seven-point scoring run fueled by kills from Martin and Wadley. Hartwick answered and tied the set at 7-7. The fourth set saw many lead changes as the teams were battling with long-fought rallies. The Hawks held a 19-17 edge before going on a scoring run to lead 23-17. Utica kept battling and playing terrific defense, yet Hartwick won the set 25-19 and the match 3-1.
 
The Pioneers' offense was clicking today and was led by Cepeil's 18 kills which tied her season-high. Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) also tallied more than four kills each and were vital parts of the offense. Maggiore, LaPorte, and Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) all tallied at least one serving ace and Maggiore led the team with 26 assists. The team's defense came alive late as Wadley and Esposito led the team with four blocks and were followed by Maggiore with two. Cepiel, LaPorte, and Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) all recorded more than 11 digs and did well at stopping the opposition's attack.
 
Utica (14-11, 4-5 Empire 8), will host SUNY Delhi on Tuesday, October 25 at 7 p.m.