UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team topped Houghton University 3-1 on Wednesday night to collect another Empire 8 victory. It was historic for the Pioneers as Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) became just the second player in all-time program history to record 1,000 career kills. She is now just 28 away from becoming the all-time program leader.

Cepiel led the way with 17 kills while Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth) (7) and Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) (5) were also prime contributors on offense. The eight kills was a season-high for Esposito and she was a fantastic asset for Utica in the match. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) each recorded 16 assists for the team and were setting up the offense. Jones was effective serving, tallying a team-leading three aces while Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) (2) and Cepiel (1) also did well. It was a career night for Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) who recorded an incredible six blocks and was wreaking havoc on the defensive end. Esposito and Jones each added a pair of blocks while Cepiel, Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George), and Jones each had more than nine digs in the match.
 
The teams exchanged points to begin set one with it being 4-4 early on. The Highlanders grabbed a 15-8 edge yet the Pioneers rallied to cut the deficit to 15-13. The teams kept battling as the set was knotted at 19-19 before a late Houghton run had them steal the first set 25-22 and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
The Pioneers started to take off in the second set. A 5-0 run to open play, fueled by Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) serving and Houghton errors, was soon turned into an 8-3 edge. However, the Highlanders chipped away as the visitors eventually came within one at 15-14. Two more Houghton errors and an Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) ace put Utica back up 18-14 but once again, the Highlanders came back within one at 19-18. Kills by Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South), two by Cepiel and another by Jones brought the set to a close. 
 
Utica grasped an early 3-0 edge in set three and tacked onto its lead to hold an 11-5 advantage as its offense was flourishing. The Pioneers kept pouring it on yet a late Houghton run saw Utica lead the set 20-16 late. Kills from Esposito and Cepiel helped Utica pull away and win the set 25-17 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
The Pioneers started set four with a 3-0 edge and used a nine-point run with Jones serving to take a commanding 16-5 edge. Utica kept its offense churning and a pair of Cepiel kills sealed the set with a 25-11 victory and 3-1 match win.
 
Utica (12-8, 2-1 Empire 8) will travel to face Keuka College on Wednesday, October 11 at 7 p.m.