UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team fell in both of its matches this weekend against Empire 8 Conference newcomers SUNY Brockport and SUNY Geneseo. Utica would fall to Brockport by a score of 3-1 and to Geneseo by a score of 3-0. 

Utica, 1 SUNY Brockport, 3

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) who brought down 14 kills, followed by Elizabeth Hanba (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) with 12, while Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) and Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) each had four. Dishing out the assists was Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn), who recorded a season high 31. At the service line, Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) recorded three aces, while Samara Hunt (Fultonville, NY/Fonda-Fultonville Central), Migliaccio, Wright and Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) each had one. On defense, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) recorded 24 digs and Samara Hunt (Fultonville, NY/Fonda-Fultonville Central) recorded 10. At the net, Jones recorded a solo block, while Ancewicz, Migliaccio, Hanba, and Anthony all assisted on blocks. 

The opening frame would see Brockport jumping out to an early 4-0 lead before the Pioneers would get on the board courtesy of Wright. The Golden Eagles would then put together a five point run to go up in the set at 9-1. Brockport would continue to grow its lead by trading blows with the Pioneers and putting together three multi-point runs to take set one 25-12. 

The second set would see the Pioneers jump out to an early 3-1 lead before Brockport would get back to back points to knot the set at three a side. The teams would trade blows before the Golden Eagles would capitalize on Pioneer errors to go ahead in the set at 6-5. Utica would take the next point to knot the set at six a piece. The teams would then go point for point before the teams would knot at 14 a side. Both teams would then exchange back to back points before Utica would put together a trio of points by capitalizing on Brockport errors and a kill from Jones to go ahead in the set at 19-16. The teams would then go point for point once more before the Pioneers would take back to back points on kills from Caitlyn Esposito (Haddam, CT/Haddam-Killingworth) and Hanba to walk away with the second set 25-21. 

The third set would see both teams open with trading back to back points before Brockport would take the lead at 4-2. The teams would then trade blows before knotting at six a side. Brockport would then take back the lead at 10-7 on a pair of kills. Utica would then find themselves on a five point run, capitalizing on Brockport errors, a kill from Hanba and an ace from Hunt to go ahead in the set at 15-13. Brockport would then put together a trio of points to take back the lead at 17-16. Utica would then allow the Golden Eagles a trio of points to go ahead in the set at 21-19, before trading trios of points once more. Utica would be unable to hold on and Brockport would walk away with the set 27-25. 

The final frame would see Utica come out strong with Utica scoring an early kill to tie it 1-1 after Brockport initially took the lead. However, an attack error from Utica allowed Brockport to edge ahead 2-1. Utica capitalized on multiple attack errors from Brockport to take a 5-3 lead. Elizabeth Hanba (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) helped extend Utica's lead with strong kills, but Brockport fought back with consistent attacks, narrowing the score to 7-5 in Utica's favor. Utica pulled ahead, benefiting from Brockport's continued attacking errors. Utica built a 13-10 lead after a service ace from Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) and a block by Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn) and Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern). Brockport attempted to close the gap, with kills from Lauren Emke and a service ace by Alexis Sison, but Utica maintained their momentum. A critical service ace by Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) followed by a series of attack errors from Brockport allowed Utica to stay ahead, reaching 23-21. The final moments were tense as Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) delivered a crucial kill, helping Utica edge closer. Brockport's Ellie Cusmano attempted a late-game rally, but it wasn't enough, as Utica took the set 25-22, sealing the deal with a service ace from Kaitlyn Jewett.

Utica, 0 SUNY Geneseo 3

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community), who delivered 11 kills, followed by Elizabeth Hanba (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) with 7, while Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) and Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) added 2 each. Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn) facilitated the offense, recording 16 assists. At the service line, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) each added one ace, with Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) chipping in another. On defense, Wright led with 14 digs, followed by Samara Hunt (Fultonville, NY/Fonda-Fultonville Central) with 10. At the net, Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) recorded a solo block, while Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Migliaccio provided key block assists.

The Pioneers started strong, with Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) getting the first point on a kill assisted by Ancewicz. The set was tightly contested early on, with four ties and three lead changes as Utica matched Geneseo point for point. However, Geneseo started to pull away midway through the set, taking advantage of several attack errors from Utica. Despite key plays from Elizabeth Hanba (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) to keep the Pioneers in contention, Geneseo's strong service game and consistent attacks allowed them to close out the set 25-22.

Geneseo came out dominant in the second set, building an early lead with a six-point run, thanks to strong serving and attacking from players like Madison Gamberg. Utica struggled to gain footing, despite kills from Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) and Elizabeth Hanba (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). Geneseo extended their lead through smart ball control and capitalizing on Utica's errors. The Pioneers were unable to mount a significant comeback, as Geneseo controlled the tempo, ultimately winning the set 25-14.

The third set was much more competitive, with Utica showing resilience. Both teams traded points early, with kills from Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) and Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) keeping Utica close. Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) contributed with an ace that helped shift momentum in Utica's favor, and the score remained tied five times during the set. However, Geneseo's balanced attack and key plays from Peyton Cole and Madison Gamberg gave them the edge. Despite late efforts from Wright and a block by Anthony, Geneseo held on to take the set 25-21, completing the sweep.

Utica (5-12, 1-6 Empire 8) will return home to take on the St. John Fisher Cardinals on Friday, October 25. Game time from the Clark Athletic Center is set for 7pm.