Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 OSWEGO, NY - The Utica University volleyball team swept both of its matches today by scores of 3-2 against Medaille University and 3-1 against SUNY Canton during the team's final day of the Oswego State Tournament.
 
Utica 3, Medaille 2
 
In the team's 3-2 win over Medaille, kills were a major part of the offense. Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) had 15 kills followed by 9 kills from both Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug ) and Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa). Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) continued her facilitating ways, leading the team with 42 assists. Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) also added eight assists along with 22 digs. The team had plenty of members over 10 digs as Cepiel, Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham ), Maggiore, and McKenna LaPorte (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) all passed that mark.
 
Utica 3, Canton 1
 
Utica kicked off the first set ahead 5-2 behind a pair of kills from Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names). The Pioneers were ahead 7-4 before a Canton scoring run that gave them the lead at 8-7. Utica would continue to rely on its offense to propel itself to a 17-11 edge. Canton then tied the game with great offensive play led by Michaella DeCapua at 17 all. The Pioneers jumped out 23-20 advantage before Canton tied it and the two times would exchange points until the Kangaroos edged out the set win 27-25.
 
The Pioneers jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the second set as Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) had an ace and four assists during the opening stretch. Utica cruised to a 14-7 advantage before Canton would bridge the gap to 14-12. The Pioneers then went on a 7-0 scoring run led by Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) and their strong offensive play to gain a 21-12 advantage before winning the set 25-14 and tying the match 1-1.
 
Utica used its momentum to start the third set up 6-2 as McKenna LaPorte (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) was able to force Canton into some defensive miscues. The Pioneers were up 10-5 before a Canton scoring run bridged the gap to 10-8. Yet, Utica went back to its offense and regained a 16-8 advantage as kills by Cepiel, Maggiore, and Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) propelled the run. The team continued to rely on its offense and force Canton into tough positions and edged out a 25-10 win and a 2-1 match advantage. 
 
The fourth set was back-and-forth as Utica held a small 8-7 lead. The Pioneers then went on a 6-0 scoring run to extend their lead to 13-7. The Pioneers offense continued to generate points and the team was up 20-11 quickly. An ace from Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) sealed the set and Utica would win the match 3-1.
 
Utica had 45 kills led by Cepiel (13), Woods (10), and Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) (7). The Pioneers had plenty of aces as Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) (4), Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham ) (3), and Maggiore (2) all contributed to the scoring. Utica also held it down defensively as Cepiel, Pappas, and Jones all had more than 13 digs and played vital roles in the win.
 
Utica (7-5, 0-0 Empire 8) will remain on the road on Monday as the team travels to SUNY Delhi for a 7 p.m. match against the Broncos.