UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team swept crosstown rival SUNY Poly 3-0 on Wednesday night to earn its 15th win of the season.
 
It was a balanced offensive attack for Utica with Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) leading the team with 10 kills while Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) and Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) each tallied at least five. Cepiel led Utica with four service aces with Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Jones each recording three. Jones amassed 11 assists while Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) had 10 and each set up the offense tonight with ease. 
 
The Pioneers did well on defense recording seven blocks with Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) (three), Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) (three), and Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor) (two) each making their presence felt. Dahlia Aguilera (Hicksville, NY/Hicksville) continued to shine as she led Utica with 10 kills while Cepiel and Livya Leider (Homestead, FL/Felix Varela) each recorded nine.
 
Utica grabbed an early 6-3 edge in set one, yet Poly quickly rallied to tie the set at 6-6. The teams exchanged points, yet the Wildcats used a five-point run to hold a 13-9 advantage. Poly was threatening late in the set, leading 19-14 but Utica prevailed with a miraculous seven-point run to steal the first set 25-21 and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
The Wildcats began set two up 4-2 but the Pioneers ignited an eight-point run to lead the set 10-4. Utica's offense and defense were fantastic, sparking a six and four point-run to fuel the team in collecting a 25-12 set two victory and lead 2-0 in the match.
 
The Utica offense remained on fire in set three jumping out to a quick 12-3 lead in set three. The Wildcats started to chip away at the large lead, yet a pair of lengthy scoring runs aided Utica in winning set three 25-9 and completing the sweep.
 
Utica (15-12, 3-5 Empire 8) will host SUNY Cobleskill on Thursday, November 2 at 7 p.m. in its final regular season match before the Empire 8 Conference Tournament beginning on Tuesday, November 7th.