TROY, NY - The Utica University volleyball team swept Russell Sage College 3-0 on Friday night to collect its first Empire 8 victory of the season and extend its winning streak to four.
 
Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) led the Pioneers with eight kills while Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) (5) and Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) (4) were also key parts of the offense. Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) had 15 assists while Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) had 12 and both did well at setting up the offense. Cepiel led Utica with three service aces while Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) tallied two. The trio of Wright, Jones, and Cepiel were terrific defensively, each recording at least 14 digs. 
 
The Pioneers jumped out to a 12-8 lead in set one before Sage was able to knot the set at 16-16. The teams continued exchanging points with the set being tied again at 22-22 yet a kill by Jones secured a 25-22 set one victory.
 
Utica continued its strong offense as it led 6-2 in set two, yet the Gators cut the lead to just one. The Pioneers led 14-13 before Sage went on a strong run to grab a 24-20 advantage. Yet, Utica put together a fantastic run to steal the set 26-24 and take a 2-0 edge in the match.
 
The Pioneers held another early lead, but Sage continued to battle, cutting into and 9-8 Pioneer lead. Utica led 18-16 and ran away with the set, winning it 25-18 and sweeping the match.
 
Utica (11-7, 1-0 Empire 8) will travel to Oneonta, NY and face Hartwick College on Saturday, September 30 at 2 p.m.