ELMIRA - The Utica University volleyball team's four-match winning streak was snapped by the Elmira College Soaring Eagles on Friday night, 3-0. 
 
Elmira was able to complete the sweep with a 25-23 win in the first set, and 25-21 wins in sets two and three. 
 
The Pioneers started the first set ahead 3-0 before clinging to a 5-3 advantage. A 4-1 Elmira run evened the set at six all before the Soaring Eagles rode a pair of four-point streaks to help lift the team to a 17-10 lead. The Pioneers chipped away at the Elmira lead by taking eight of the next 10 points to draw within a pair at 20-18 while then going on to trail by just one with Elmira looking at set point. The Soaring Eagles were able to take the next point for the win. 
 
Set two featured 10 ties and six lead changes, starting with the Pioneers turning an 0-2 deficit into an early 3-2 lead. With Utica ahead 10-8, the Soaring Eagles went on a run to go out in front 17-12. The Pioneers, however, would refuse to back down, eventually evening the set at 20-20 before Elmira used a 5-1 run to take the set. 
 
The third set was also tightly contested with nine ties and another six lead changes with Utica in control early on. With a 13-8 lead, Elmira began to click on offense using a spree of kills to tie the set 19-19. Although the ensuing point went to Utica on a service kill, the Soaring Eagles were able to come away with a 25-21 set win. 
 
Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) led the team with nine kills followed by Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) and Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) with five each. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) also had 18 of the team's 21 assists while recording a team-best three aces. Cepiel also led the Pioneers defensively with 14 kills while Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) totaled 10. 
 
Utica (12-7, 2-2 Empire 8) remains on the road on October 8 for a 1 p.m. match against the Alfred University Saxons.