UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team is set to begin another busy week with three matches, beginning with hosting SUNY Delhi on Wednesday, September 27 at 7 p.m. The team will then hit the road to face Russell Sage College on Friday, September 29 at 7 p.m. before remaining on the road to clash with Hartwick College on Saturday, September 30 at 2 p.m.
 
Follow Along: Those unable to attend Wednesday's home game can tune in for live video and/or stats here. Russell Sage College will provide live video here and stats here. Hartwick College will provide live video and or stats here. 
 
Last Time Out: The team topped Cedar Crest 3-1 in its final match of the Worthington Classic on Saturday, September 23. Leading the way for the Pioneers was Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) who recorded her second highest kills per game this season with 21. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) 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 neither 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.
 
Best of the Best: The awards kept reigning in for Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) on Tuesday as she was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association/GameChanger NCAA Division III Player of the Week. This comes following her Worthington Classic All-Tournament Team and Empire 8 Co-Player of the Week honors for her fantastic two-day performance. She amassed 68 kills and 83 digs while setting multiple career-highs doing it all for the Pioneers. She turned in back-to-back incredible stat lines on day two with a career-high 25 kills and 33 digs and followed this up with 21 kills and a career-high 36 digs. The West Sand Lake, NY native also added nine service aces and seven assists over the weekend and was a crucial part in the Pioneers sweeping two matches this past Saturday. Following her fantastic weekend, Cepiel became the sixth player in program history to amass 1,000 digs. She also continues to climb the all-time kills ranks as she is second in program history with 943; just 87 shy of becoming the all-time leader. With 67 more, Cepiel will also become just the second player in program history to reach 1,000 kills. 
 
Scrappy Defense: Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) and Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) played a vital role in the Pioneers successful performances at the Worthington Classic Tournament. The freshman outside hitter, Wright, became red-hot over the tournament. recording 58 digs throughout the weekend. She totaled 14 against Catholic University, four against Marymount, 21 against Arcadia, and 19 against Cedar Crest. The junior libero, Wagemann, recorded eight digs against Catholic University, eight against Marymount, a career-high 27 against Arcadia, and 17 against Cedar Crest. Wagemann also assisted on offense recording 6 assists and her strong play as libero has helped turn defense into offense.
 
Scouting Delhi: The SUNY Delhi Broncos are 2-7 having not started league play. Starting off strong, the Broncos swept Husson University in three sets. From there, the Broncos would go on a six-game losing streak. Since snapping their losing streak, the Broncos have a record of 1-1, where they swept Marywood University and lost in four sets to MCLA. Since 2018, the Broncos are 4-2 against the Pioneers while Utica's 3-1 win last year marked the first for the program since the '18 season. Sage Renneisen and Chloe Elsenbeck are the team's top offensive players recording at least 44 kills this season. Madelyn Diep and Jaiden Venute are the team's top defenders, each recording at least 45 digs thus far.
 
Looking at Sage: The Russell Sage Gators are 5-8, having not started league play. Having started the season out 5-3, the Gators have lost five consecutive games, only winning two sets out of the last 18 played. The Junior outside hitter, Macey Salvione, leads her team by example recording 106 kills and 190 digs spanning 48 sets. In the Empire 8, Salvione is ranked third in service aces with 33. Both teams are looking to start off their Empire 8 campaigns with a statement win. 
 
Hartwick Preview: The Hartwick College Hawks are 4-5 and are currently on a three game win streak. Starting the season 1-5, the Hawks have turned their season around with three back-to-back-to-back home wins, only dropping two sets over the last 12 played. Led by outside hitters, Staecia Silofau and Shaelyn Thornton with a combination of 163 kills, the Hawks are currently ranked third in hitting percentage in the Empire 8. After being swept by Hartwick in the conference tournament last season, the Pioneers are looking for a rebound win. 

Up Next: The team will return home and host Houghton University on Wednesday, October 4 at 7 p.m.