UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team continues its road trip this week after the Oswego State Tournament. The team's first game is against the Wells College Express at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. The Pioneers will then return home to face St. John Fisher on Friday at 7 p.m. followed by Nazareth College on Saturday at 3 p.m.

Follow Along: Wells College will provide live stats through https://bit.ly/3Sd3OMT. Those unable to attend the home games in Utica, NY can watch live video and/or stats through https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5. 

Last Time Out: The Utica University volleyball team swept both of its matches this past weekend 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. 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. Against Canton, 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. 

Player of the Week: Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) has been named Empire 8 Player of the Week, her second of the season. The standout had a fabulous week against Cazenovia College and in the Oswego State Tournament as she totaled 64 digs and averaged 12.8 kills per match. She was also active defensively and averaged 16.6 digs per match and accumulated 83 over the five-match span. The senior's best match came against Medaille University as she totaled 15 kills, 26 digs, and a .249 hitting percentage. Her strong play continued against St. Lawrence where she accumulated 17 kills, 25 digs, and a .200 hitting percentage. The West Sandlake, NY native provided another big performance in Utica's win over SUNY Canton as she tallied 13 kills and 22 digs while playing a major role in the team's quick work of Canton in four sets. Her outstanding play has her first in the Empire 8 in kills per set with 3.41 and nearly a .5 lead over second. She is also second in the Empire 8 in points per set and is just .02 behind the leader. 

All-Around Play: Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) came back from injury and did not disappoint as she tallied 10 kills in the final game of the Oswego Tournament. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) continues to be an excellent facilitator as she now has 322 assists on the season and she is first in total assists (EDIT, might be 1st) in the Empire 8. Maggiore compiled 122 assists over four matches in the Oswego State Tournament and has been a key point in getting the offense going. Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) had a fantastic weekend as well as she accumulated eight service aces at the tournament, including two or more in three of the four matches.

About Wells College: The Wells College Express is currently 6-3 on the season after going 1-1 this past weekend. The Express are led by Miah Williamson who averages 4.03 kills per set with a .423 hitting percentage. Defensively, Roosa Armstead-Lenti leads the team with 4.00 digs per set and has accumulated 136 so far this season.

Scouting St. John Fisher: St. John Fisher is currently 5-4 this season after sweeping SUNY Cortland 3-0 this past weekend. The team's next match will be against Utica on Friday in Utica, NY. The Cardinals are led by a balanced offense with Delayne Young, Kiana Walker, and Sydney French all totaling more than 70 kills on the season. On the other side of the ball, Kiana Walker and Kiera Hartpence both have accumulated more than 118 digs this season.

Previewing Nazareth College: Nazareth College is 3-7 on the year and will play William Smith and Keuka before clashing with the Pioneers on Saturday. The Golden Flyers have Eva Lyko, Tessa Grover, and Kaylee Kelly with over 50 kills this season. Grover also has 193 assists and 24 blocks behind the team leader Ruth Jackson (25).

Up Next: The team will continue its homestand as they host Wells College at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 1st from Miga Court.