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UTICA University Pioneers

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Utica University Athletics

Megan Wright Story Cover
Kayleigh Sturtevant - Utica Athletics
3
Winner Western New Eng. WNE 1-0,0-0 CNE
1
Utica Utica 0-1,0-0 Empire 8
Winner
Western New Eng. WNE
1-0,0-0 CNE
3
Final
1
Utica Utica
0-1,0-0 Empire 8
Set Scores
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Western New Eng. WNE 25 25 22 29 (3)
Utica Utica 15 18 25 27 (1)

Game Recap: Women's Volleyball |

Volleyball Surges Late, Ultimately Falls in Season-Opening Tilt vs Golden Bears

ONEONTA, NY – The Utica Pioneers volleyball squad fell in their season-opening matchup yesterday to a tough Western New England squad in game 1 of the Red Dragon classic at Oneonta.

Despite the 3-1 final scoreline, the match was very tightly contested, with a late Pioneer surge almost resulting in a winner-take-all 5th set. After a back-and-forth 4th set that nearly reached the 30's, the Golden Bears managed to pull away, claiming the pivotal frame by a score of 29-27 and sealing the Pioneers' fate in their opening contest.

While it took the Pioneers a couple of sets to really get going, lots of players still managed to accrue excellent statistical marks while settling in for the new season.

Cassandra Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) and Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) were both bastions for the Utica defense, shutting down Golden Bear attacks all over the court to the tune of 19 and 18 digs respectively.
Wright, the sophomore standout, also got it done on the offensive end, notching a team-high 12 kills.

The Pioneers managed to lock down the net at times, stuffing myriad Golden Bear attacks throughout the 4-set battle.

Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern), in particular, was a wall for Utica, putting together a great blocking showcase with 4 block assists and a solo block.

The Pioneers saw good offensive outputs from upperclassmen and rookies alike in the form of Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Elizabeth Hanba (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). Anthony slammed down 9 spikes while Hanba recorded 11 kills in her Pioneer debut.

Hanba also caused some Golden Bear frustration from the backline, exploiting Western New England's defense and landing 3 service aces in the match.
The Pioneers will hope to recapture the energy that brought them to within a single point of forcing set #5 when they face off against Mount Saint Mary and the hosts Oneonta tomorrow in day 2 of the Red Dragon Invitational.

Utica will see Oneonta at 11 AM, followed immediately by the tilt with Mount Saint Mary at 1 PM.
 
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