UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team beat SUNY Cobleskill 3-1 on Thursday night to wrap up regular season play.
 
Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) was dominant once again and led the offense with a ridiculous 19 kills while Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) were also a force each tallying eight. The eight kills were a new career-high for Anthony who was fantastic on both sides of the ball. The trio of Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee), Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman), and Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) all served well with each recording at least two aces. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) was the main helping hand tonight tallying 21 assists while Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) was also effective with 13.
 
Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth) was incredible on defense with a whopping six blocks during the match. The duo of Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor) were also dominant with each amassing three blocks. Cepiel led Utica with 18 digs while Jones (10), and Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) (eight) were also heavily involved.
 
Cobleskill began set one on a strong 6-0 run, but Utica stormed back cutting the deficit to just 6-4. The Pioneers knotted the set at 10-10 and the teams exchanged leads yet the Fighting Tigers used a rally to hold a 22-16 lead late. Utica used its magic to tie the set 24-24 and relied on its momentum to grab the set 27-25 and take a 1-0 edge in the match.
 
Set two had a similar beginning with Cobleskill holding an early 4-0 advantage. Yet, the Pioneers rallied back to grab a 9-6 lead after some strong serving by Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman). An Anthony kill gave Utica a 14-9 edge yet Cobleskill knotted the score at 14-14. The teams kept exchanging points, yet the Fighting Tigers used a late run to win the set 25-22 and even the match at 1-1.
 
Set three featured the Pioneers starting out strong with a 5-3 advantage. The team's offense really started to click, jumping out to a 16-9 lead. The Fighting Tigers cut into the lead making it just 16-14 but Utica held a 23-18 edge late. Cobleskill made it interesting grabbing a 24-23 edge, yet Utica rallied to win the set 29-27 and take a 2-1 lead in the match.
 
Set four was tied 4-4 before Utica's offense became overpowering, holding a quick 14-6 advantage after multiple kills by Cepiel and Brennan. The Pioneers defense also turned up with Esposito leading the charge and recording a block on three straight Cobleskill attacks to give Utica a 19-7 lead. Cobleskill threatened late yet the Pioneers held on for a 25-18 set win and won the match 3-1.
 
Utica (16-12, 3-5 Empire 8) will head to face Keuka College in the Empire 8 Conference Tournament on Tuesday, November 7 at 7 p.m.