WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Utica University volleyball team wrapped up Day Two of the Worthington Classic beating Arcadia University 3-2 and topping Cedar Crest 3-1. Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) was named to the All-Tournament team for her fantastic two-day performance amassing 68 kills and 83 digs while setting multiple career-highs.
 
Utica 3, Arcadia 2
 
Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) was incredible posting a career-high 25 kills to lead Utica's dominant offense. Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) and Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) were also very effective each adding at least 11 kills and the trio were dominant all match long. Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) had four aces while Jones added one and Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) had one. Maggiore paced the offense with 28 assists while Jones racked up 15. Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth) was phenomenal, posting a career-high seven blocks while Jones and Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor) each posted three. The Pioneers were also dominant on the defensive end with the trio of Cepiel (33), Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) (27), and Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) (21) each posting a career-high in digs.
 
Arcadia grabbed a 5-0 lead in the first set yet the Pioneers cut the lead to 5-4. The Knights opened up an 11-4 advantage yet Utica continued to battle trailing just 19-16 later in the set. The Pioneers held a 23-20 edge and held on for a 26-24 set one victory.
 
The teams battled in set two with Arcadia grabbing the 11-8 lead. The Knights increased its edge to 17-9 before the Pioneers rallied to take a 23-19 lead and win set two 25-21.
 
Utica opened up a 6-2 advantage in set three before the match was tied 19-19. Arcadia pulled away late winning the set 25-20 and trailing 2-1 in the match.
 
Arcadia used its momentum to hold a 7-3 lead in set four and the teams continued to battle with Utica grabbing a 16-13 advantage. The set was tied 23-23 yet Arcadia stole the set 27-25 and tied the match at 2-2.
 
The Knights grabbed a 9-3 edge in the decisive set yet the Pioneers went on a great run to knot the score at 10-10. Arcadia held a 15-14 edge yet Utica rallied and won the final set 17-15 and the match 3-2.
 
Utica 3, Cedar Crest 1
 
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Cepiel who recorded her second highest kills per game this season with 21. Maggiore and Jones did well at setting up the offense combining for 42 assists. Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) recorded a season best three blocks in the contest. Cepiel also set a career-high with an impressive 36 digs which broke her previous record of 33 which was set in the previous match.
 
The first set was a back and forth battle as either team could not jump out to more than a four point lead. Utica was able to jump ahead after a service ace from Cepiel to put the team ahead at 9-5. The teams would continue to trade blows to run the score 19-17 until Cedar Crest recorded four straight kills and ended up walking away with the first set, 25-22. 
 
In the second set, the Pioneers were able to pull ahead 3-1 early, after a pair of kills from Cepiel. The team would hold on to their lead until the match was tied at 12-12. Utica responded with a four point-run to take a 16-12 edge before the set was tied again at 22-22. The Pioneers used a late run to win the set 25-23 and tie the match at 1-1.
 
Utica jumped out to a 9-3 edge in the third set yet Cedar Crest closed the gap trailing just 14-12. An eight point Pioneer run propelled the team to a 25-15 set victory.
 
Cedar Crest held an 8-4 edge in the fourth set and the teams battled before the set was tied at 18-18. Cedar Crest led 23-20 yet Utica utilized a crucial five-point run to win the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
 
Utica (9-7, 0-0 Empire 8) will return home to host SUNY Delhi on Wednesday, September 27 at 7 p.m.