UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team fell in its home opener to Hamilton College 3-0 on Tuesday evening. 
 
Hamilton shook off a set starting service error and rattled off five straight points before eventually climbing out to a 16-5 advantage. The Pioneers cut the Continentals lead in half to 18-9 however, the visitors went on to take the first set 25-12. 
 
Utica once again began the second set with a 1-0 advantage before the sides were even at 2-2. Later with Hamilton ahead 7-5, the Pioneers surrendered four points in a row and nine out of the next 10 as they trailed 16-6. However, Utica clawed back to within five points later in the set as Hamilton's lead was cut to 20-15. The Continentals denied the Pioneers a comeback however, taking the second set 25-15. 
 
Hamilton continued its fast-paced play in the third set, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and eventually an 11-2 advantage. The Pioneers were unable to mount a comeback attempt in the set as the team fell 25-7 for its first loss of the season after a straight set sweep by the Continentals. 
 
Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) led Utica with four kills while Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) had two and one each by Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug ) and Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee). Krystell Pappas (Owensboro, KY/Owensboro) recorded four digs for the team followed by Cepiel and Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor) with three and five others with two. 
 
Utica (2-1, 0-0 Empire 8) will turn around and travel to SUNY Cobleskill to face the Fighting Tigers at 7 p.m. on Wednesday.