UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team beat the SUNY Poly Wildcats 3-1 on Wednesday evening. The win marked the 10th of the season for the Pioneers and their first 10-win season since 2009.
 
During the first set Utica was able to jump ahead to a 3-0 lead courtesy of Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) and Kurstan Martin (Owego, NY/Tioga). Poly would keep the game close until the Pioneers were able to use their offense to go on a seven-point run. Utica did well setting up its heavy hitters as Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) and Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) had a pair of kills during the run. The team would continue to set up its offense effectively and play well defensively to win the first set 25-12 and start the match up 1-0.
 
Poly would begin the second set with a slim 3-2 lead before the Pioneers went on a 10-0 scoring run. The lead was sparked by a strong attack and forcing the Wildcats into tough situations that resulted in a match-high 12 errors. McKenna LaPorte (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham ) both served plenty in this set and played a vital role in Utica gaining such a lead. The Pioneers were up 22-9 before Poly answered with three straight points. Yet, the Pioneers would finish the set strong and win the set 25-11 off a Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) service ace and jump ahead 2-0 in the match.
 
The third set would be back-and-forth as many lead changes would occur. Both teams would exchange leads until tied at three before the Wildcats were able to gain a 7-4 lead. The Pioneers were able to cut the lead down to just one as Poly led 8-7, yet the Wildcats offense would keep firing and open up a 16-12 lead. The set would be tied at 18-18 before Poly's hitters would sustain a rhythm that propelled them to a 25-21 set win and now down only one set in the match.
 
Seeking to secure the win, Utica began the set up 1-0 before the set tied at 2-2. The Pioneers then began a nine-point rally in which McKenna LaPorte (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) totaled two service aces and forced the Wildcats into multiple errors. Utica would be in control for the majority of the set as they led 21-10 and would win the set 25-14 and win the match 3-1.
 
The Pioneers had many contributors in their win over Poly. Cepiel led the way with 17 kills followed by Brianna Woods (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) who totaled eight. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) continued her facilitating ways and is approaching 450 assists on the season which is second in the Empire 8. Utica would have a phenomenal 18 service aces led by McKenna LaPorte (Liverpool, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) (six), Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham ) (four), and Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) (three). Defensively, Jones, LaPorte, Pappas, Maggiore, and Cepiel all totaled more than eight digs.
 
Utica (10-6, 1-1 Empire 8) will return home to host Wells College on Saturday at 11 a.m. to begin a brief homestand.