Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Matt Brantley (Rochester, NY/Eastridge) have been selected as the first Pioneer Athletes of the Week for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Anthony was selected for her superior spiking performance in the volleyball team's 3-0 win over visiting MCLA in the Pioneers' First Responders match this past Saturday. The impactful junior was a powerful force at the net, frustrating the Trailblazer defense and sending fans home happy with a dominating win in the Pioneers' home opener. 

The Utica women's volleyball squad will take a small break this week, before gearing up to take a thruway trip next Wednesday when they travel to face Union College. 

Brantley was selected for his outstanding performance in the Pioneers' 2024 debut victory over a tough Union squad this past Friday. 

Brantley ran for 185 yards on 20 carries with a touchdown Utica's 41-26 Believe Bowl victory over the Garnet Chargers on Friday night. Brantley blew the game wide open at the beginning of the second half, scoring on a career-best 90-yard rush to give the Pioneers a 29-12 lead. He finished the season-opening bout with 194 all-purpose yards, including 47 in the fourth quarter to help put the game away, as the Pioneers gained 503 total yards in the win. Brantley was also named the Empire 8 Football Co-Offensive Player of the Week, his first award of the new season after capturing 3rd team all-Empire 8 honors in 2023. 

Pioneer football will head to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania this weekend for a showdown with Moravian. That game begins at noon on Saturday. 

You can follow Anthony and Brantley this season by clicking the "Watch" section on our athletics homepage or by following our social media at Utica_Pioneers!