UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team will begin its 2022 season at the SUNY Poly tri-match on Saturday, September 3. The Pioneers will take on the SUNY Poly Wildcats at 11 a.m., and will face Bard College at 1 p.m.
 
Follow Along: SUNY Poly will provide live video and stats for the tri-match through https://portal.stretchinternet.com/polywildcats/.
 
Last Year: The Pioneers had one of their strongest seasons in recent memory, compiling an overall record of 8-17, while putting together a 2-6 mark in conference play. They won four matches on their home floor. Eight wins was the highest total for the program since the 2014 season.
 
Schedule Breakdown: Tournament and tri-match play will keep the Pioneers busy for much of September, as the Pioneers will contest two tournaments after this weekend's tri-match at Oswego and SUNY Canton. On Tuesday, September 6th, the Pioneers start their dual match schedule with their home opener against Hamilton. The team treks to Cobleskill for another dual the following day. Following the Canton tournament on the weekend of September 10th, the Pioneers meet Cazenovia in a road match on September 14th. Four matches will await the team at the Oswego tournament on September 16th and 17th, and the team will remain on the road for two more non-conference matches against Wells and SUNY Delhi before conference play starts. Utica will play its first four conference matches at home against Fisher, Nazareth, Wells, and Keuka.
 
At the Helm: Josh Higby will return for his second season as the team's head coach. Assistant Coach Lindsey Hannel will also be entering her second season on the coaching staff after the Utica volleyball alumna joined Higby's staff in the Summer of 2021.
 
She's Back: Hitter/Setter combo Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) returns to the fold for her senior season as one of the conference's most respected talents. The 2021 third team all-conference selection led the Pioneers 262 kills last season, while her mark of 2.62 kills per set ranked eighth in the conference. The junior also led the team with 292 points and 100 sets played while finishing top-five on the team with an .885 reception percentage, 275 digs, 26 aces and 13 assists.
 
The Graduate: Utica will also have the luxury of Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) on the roster as a graduate student. The extremely athletic outside hitter packs a punch on her kill attempts, and she was second on the team with 209 kills last season. Martin also had 164 digs last season.
 
Two-Way Talent: Sophomore libero Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) had an extraordinary rookie season with the Pioneers in 2021. The Kentucky native led last year's team with 297 digs, and was also exceptional in the service game with 45 aces.
 
Supporting Cast: Utica returns a host of other talented contributors from last year's squad. Junior middle hitter Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) had a team-high 38 blocks as a sophomore. Junior setter Madison Maggiore's (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) 375 assists made a huge impact in her sophomore season, as that figure led the team as well. Junior setter Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) is a versatile talent, and had 43 service aces to tie for second on the team in 2021 alongside Maggiore.
 
Fresh Faces: Utica will welcome seven newcomers to a team that returns 13 players and all six starters from 2021. Dahlia Aguilera (Hicksville, NY/Hicksville ), Sarah Bochan (East Hampton ,CT/East Hampton ), Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South ), Nazelli Rodriguez (Schenectady, NY/Schenectady ), Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug ), Olivia Prevett (Plymouth, MA/Rising Tide Charter ) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham ) will each look to make an impact in year one and help the team build off of a promising 2021 campaign.
 
Scouting Poly: The Wildcats enter the fresh season after posting a 9-16 overall record in 2021 while also going 4-4 in North Atlantic League play. Poly qualified for the NAC Tournament but fell to SUNY Cobleskill in the quarterfinals. An experienced team, the Wildcats will field nine upperclassmen to just four underclassmen while senior Emma Draper returns after leading the team with 209 kills last season; nearly 100 more than the second most on the team. Utica and Poly split its two matches last season as the Wildcats took round one at home, 3-2, before the Pioneers got revenge later in the season at home, 3-0.
 
About Bard: Bard finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 8-17, and the Raptors were just 1-6 in the Liberty League. They are 0-1 to start the season after dropping their opener to William Patterson in straight sets. Emily Hall Smith led the attack with six kills, while Adi David had 16 assists and eight digs.
 
Up Next: The Pioneers will open home court against Hamilton College at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6 in what will be the team's First Responders Match.