UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team travels to face its crosstown rivals in SUNY Poly on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The team then returns home to host Wells College on Saturday at 11 a.m.
 
Follow Along: SUNY Poly will provide live video and/or stats through https://bit.ly/2EH6kIm. Those unable to Saturday's game in Utica, NY can watch live video and/or stats through https://bit.ly/2wtxUV5. 
 
Last Time Out: The Utica University volleyball team outlasted Nazareth College 3-2 on Saturday collecting an Empire 8 win. It was Utica's first-ever program win over Nazareth.
The Pioneers offense was led by Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) who had a phenomenal offensive day with 13 kills followed by Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) (12), and Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) (nine). Utica had seven aces and McKenna LaPorte (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) (three), Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) (two), and Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) (one). Maggiore tallied 34 assists and recorded 13 digs which was best for third on the team behind Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) (14), and Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) (14).
 
Getting Hot: Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) and Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth) have been heating up as the season goes on. After returning from injury, Woods is now second on the team in points per set at 2.07 and has totaled nine or more kills in four of her seven games this season. Woods has done a fantastic job at finishing the kill as her kills per set has climbed to 1.91 which is second on the team. Her resurgence after an injury has added another offensive weapon to the Pioneers strong attack. Esposito is now third in points per set and has started to heat up after her great performance against Hilbert in which she totaled seven kills. As a middle hitter, she has done a terrific job at defending Utica's side of the court and forcing opponents into errors. Her defense paired with her offensive play has been a major reason for Utica's successful season thus far.
 
Heavy Hitter: Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga) has been a valuable part of the team for her flexibility as she has been a defensive specialist and an outside hitter. Yet, against Nazareth her hitting was phenomenal as she tied a season high with 13 kills. Martin sported a whopping .444 attacking percentage as well as four digs to add to her versatility to the team. Martin looks to keep her heavy hitting rolling as the Pioneers look to reach double-digit wins since 2009.
 
Scouting SUNY Poly: The Wildcats have been struggling this season as they are 0-12 overall and 0-2 in conference play. The team dropped its last match on Saturday as SUNY Canton was able to win in quick fashion with a straight-set sweep. Poly's offense is led by Emma Draper who has 80 kills this season and Ryan Fitzgerald has 62. Both are being set up by Michaela Bradshaw who has 165 assists. Defensively, Meghan Peek leads the Wildcats with 134 digs followed by Bradshaw's 105 digs.
 
Elmira Outlook: After starting the season well, the Soaring Eagles are now 5-10 after dropping eight-straight games. The team dropped its last match 3-0 as Desales University was able to beat them this past Saturday. The team is led offensively by Amelia Martin and Samantha Garry who sport 85 and 77 kills. Asia Curkendall has done a terrific job of setting them up and has totaled 234 assists this season. On the other side of the ball, Elmira has three terrific players as Amelia Martin (123), Gianna Pezzino (112), and Makenna Clark (100) have all totaled more than 100 digs this season.
 
Up Next: The team will remain home to host Keuka College on Wednesday, October 5 at 7 p.m.