UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team prepares to head to Washington, D.C. for the Worthington Classic beginning on Friday, September 22 and continuing on Saturday, September 23. 
 
Follow Along: Live video will be available here and check the schedule for a live stats link.
 
Last Time Out: Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) fueled the offense with nine kills while Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) and Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) each tallied four. Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) set a career-high with an incredible seven service aces while Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) (5) and Maggiore (2) were also key contributors. Migliaccio and Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) each had two blocks while Jones added one. Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) led the team defensively, compiling 10 digs while Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) (7) and Samantha Albright (Lockport, NY/Royalton Hartland) (6) were also anchors. The Pioneer offense wasted no time with a quick 12-2 edge as the team's offense was phenomenal. Wilkes-Barre responded with a four-point run, yet Utica used a nine-point run to win the set 25-9. Wilkes-Barre grabbed a 5-2 edge but the Utica offense became too much, taking a 16-13 lead and holding on for a 25-19 set win. Wilkes-Barre had a strong start to set three with a 4-2 lead yet the Pioneers rallied to grab a 6-4 advantage. The teams continued to exchange points before Utica used an eight-point run to fuel the team to a 25-14 set win and complete the sweep.
 
Where We Stand: Utica's defense has stepped up in a major way as the team now ranks second in the Empire 8 with a .127 opponent hitting percentage which ranks just .01 behind Nazareth. This has helped translate to their offense which leads the conference with a .161 hitting percentage. The Pioneers also lead the conference averaging 16.50 digs per set and have been able to fend off the opponent's attack just fine.
 
Conference Ranks: Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) leads the Empire 8 with a .346 hitting percentage while Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) ranks fourth with a .264 hitting percentage. Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) sits in ninth with a .212 hitting percentage and all three have been key contributors to the team's offense. Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) is fourth in the Empire 8 averaging 3.38 kills per set while Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) ranks seventh averaging 5.06 assists per set and fifth in aces per set at .62. Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) is fifth in the conference averaging 3.88 digs per set while Cepiel is right behind her in eighth at 3.48 digs per set. Cepiel has done it all and ranks fifth in the Empire 8 averaging 3.57 points per set.
 
Ace of Spades: The Pioneers serving has started to become elite after turning in a fabulous week over the course of the four matches. Over the course of the four games Utica racked up an incredible 56 service aces. Against SUNY Poly the team had 13 aces while Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman), Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham), and Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) each had three. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) (5) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) (3) combined for eight of the team's 11 aces against Clarks Summit. Maggiore continued her strong play with six aces against Penn State Abington and the team racked up 14. To conclude the week, Utica had an incredible 18 service aces against Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) had a career-high seven while Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) added five. 
 
Doing it All: Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) turned in the best week of her young career as she was effective in all facets of her game. Over the course of the week she accumulated 21 kills, 33 assists, eight service aces, 28 digs, and two blocks. The sophomore was consistent posting at least five kills, six assists, and four digs in all four games this week and played a large role in the team's perfect 4-0 week for the Pioneers.
 
Heating Up: Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) turned in a fantastic week with eight service aces over her three games including a career-high seven against Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Throughout the three games she also added one kill, one assist, and four digs.
 
The Field: Utica will face Catholic University, Marymount University, Arcadia University, and an opponent to be determined. Catholic is 8-2 this season including sweeping Gettysburg 3-0 in its last match on Wednesday, September 20. The Cardinals are in great form having swept seven of their opponents this season including three straight. The duo of Olivia Blondin and Halie Murphy are fantastic with each recording over 134 points and 123 kills this season. Catholic is very strong defensively with three players recording more than 19 blocks this season. Marymount is 2-9 to begin the 2023 campaign after falling 3-0 to Johns Hopkins University on Wednesday, September 20. The trio of Jada Griffith, Maya Harris, and Kaitlyn Doyle lead the offense each recording at least 78 kills thus far. Eliza Freeman is the team's top defender with 158 digs while Myia Jeter is the team's defensive anchor with 27 blocks. Arcadia is 1-8 and is 0-1 in conference play after falling 3-1 to Lebanon Valley College on Wednesday, September 20. Estefania Martinez-Sola is the offense's top threat with 70 kills this season while Danielle Doyle and Nicole Dallara are two more notable players. Martinez and Dallara are also two of the team's best defenders with each recording more than 77 digs this season.

Up Next: The team will return home and host SUNY Delhi on Wednesday, September 27 at 7 p.m.