ONEONTA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team fell to Hartwick College 3-1 on Saturday afternoon in an Empire 8 battle.
 
Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) led the Pioneers with 18 kills while Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) (9) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) (6) were also key facets of the offensive attack. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) and Jones were the prime setters, each recording at least 17 assists in the match. Maggiore led the team with three service aces while Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) and Jones each had one. The team was active defensively with Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth) leading the team with three blocks while Brennan (2) and Abriana Wadley (Utica, NY/Proctor) (1) were also heavily involved. Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) was fantastic with 16 digs as Cepiel and Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) both tallied nine.
 
The Hawks grabbed a 6-1 edge in the first set, yet Utica rallied to cut the deficit to just one. The teams continued to battle with Hartwick grabbing a late lead and holding on for a 25-18 set one victory.
 
Hartwick started off strong again in set two with a 6-2 advantage, but the Pioneers battled back to trail just 8-6. The Hawks used two late runs to win set two 25-16 and grab a 2-0 edge in the contest.
 
Utica came out firing in the third set grabbing an 8-5 lead. The Pioneers continued to play well on both sides of the ball and increased their lead to 14-8. Utica would keep its momentum rolling and win set three 25-22 and cut the match lead to 2-1.
 
The teams kept exchanging points in the fourth set with Utica trailing just 16-14 halfway through the set. The Pioneers kept battling yet a late Hartwick run let them win the set 25-20 and the match 3-1.
 
Utica (11-8, 1-1 Empire 8) will return home and host Houghton University on Wednesday, October 4 at 7 p.m.