COBLESKILL, NY - The Utica University volleyball team was phenomenal on Wednesday night defeating the SUNY Cobleskill Fighting Tigers 3-0 to collect the team's third straight sweep.
 
Utica's offense shined tonight and was led by Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names) with 18 kills while Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) posted a career-high seven. Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) and Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) were also prime offensive contributors, each recording at least four kills. Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) tallied 29 assists while Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) led the team with three service aces and Cepiel, Wright, and Hannah Johnson (Murfreesboro, TN/Blackman) each collected one. 
 
Defensively Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) led the way with two blocks while Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Madison Maggiore (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee) each had a block assist. Cassi Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) led the team with seven digs while Wright (6), Cepiel (4), and Maggiore (3) were also very active.
 
The Pioneers had 41 kills to Cobleskill's 26 including boasting a remarkable .455 attacking percentage to the Fighting Tigers' .139.
 
The Fighting Tigers took a commanding 10-4 lead in the first set, yet the Pioneers rallied back to tie it at 10-10. The teams then battled by exchanging points until the set was tied 23-23. The Utica defense tightened up and forced back-to-back errors to win the first set 25-23.
 
The Pioneers excelled in the second set grabbing an early 10-3 lead behind its strong offense. Utica's offense kept pouring it on with Eleanor Cepiel (West Sand Lake, NY/Academy of Holy Names), Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern), and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) all recording multiple kills in the set. Utica won the set 25-13 after a pair of Cepiel kills to seal the deal.
 
The Pioneers quickly held a 3-1 lead to begin the third set before Cobleskill knotted the set at 4-4. Utica then went on a nine-point run to open a 13-4 gap as the team's offense continued to click. The Pioneers cruised to a 25-16 set three victory to complete the sweep.
 
Utica (3-1, 0-0 Empire 8) will pack its bags and head to Erie, PA for the Penn State Behrend Invitational with the team's first match against Grove City College on Friday, September 8 at 5:30 p.m.