UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team hosts its first home match of the season, as well as the team's First Responders Match against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on Saturday, September 7, at noon. The match will be played on Miga Court. 
 
Follow Along: Live video for MCLA can be found here. Live stats for MCLA can be found here.
 
First Responders Day: This year will be the third annual Utica University Women's Volleyball First Responders Match. The game is in honor of first responders not only in the Mohawk Valley, but across the country who risk their lives every day to keep the community safe. The team will honor First Responders before the game with a brief ceremony. 
 
Last Time Out: The Utica University volleyball team wrapped up the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragon Invitational on Saturday afternoon. The team fell to Oneonta 3-2 before taking down Mount Saint Mary in straight sets, 3-0. In the first match, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) , who led the team, and Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham)  each slammed double digit kills in the match, while Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) brought in nine of her own. Lending a helping hand was Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) who recorded 40 assists in the contest. On the defensive side of the ball, Wright and Jones each recorded over 20 digs, while Cassandra Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) nabbed 15. Migliaccio and Bailey each recorded two blocks. At the service line, Jones, Brennan, Wright, and Bailey each recorded two aces. In the second match, Bailey and Wright would again prove pivotal for the Pioneers in the second game of the afternoon slamming eight kills apiece. Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) would bring in seven. Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) would go on to lead the Pioneers in assists with 26. On defense, Cassandra Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) would make 13 digs and Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) would record 12. At the service line, Wright, Meghan Brennan (Southbury, CT/Pomperaug) and Jones would each record more than three aces. 
 
Wright's Way or No Way: Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) has been playing a virtual role during the start of the season. Over the teams three matches, Wright tallied 31 kills, a mark that puts her in the top-ten in the conference, with seven Aces. Sophomore Wright has recorded 39 digs throughout this past weekend. She totaled 27 against Oneonta and 12 against Mount Saint Mary. Being on fire this past weekend, Wright holds number one in the Empire 8 standings in digs out of 12 sets with 57 digs in total 
 
Make Way for Pey: Senior Peyton Migliaccio (Suffern, NY/Suffern) has been a force to be reckoned with at the net on both sides of the ball. Over the team's three matches, she has recorded 21 kills, a mark good enough for second on the team. On defense, Migliaccio has tallied seven blocks, which puts her in the team lead.  
 
Diving Duo: Cassandra Wagemann (Diamond Point, NY/Lake George) and Wright have been a top duo on the court who have made great defensive plays. Wagemann is not far behind Wright with holding the number two spot in the Empire 8 standings in digs. Out of 12 sets, she has 47 digs in total.
 
Scouting MCLA:
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts are 0-3 with not starting conference play. The Trailblazers traveled to Claremont,California to build off their 2023 run where they ended their last season 21-5 overall with being 5-2 in conference play. MCLA is currently on a three-game losing streak. Elizabeth Brown and Chloie Garber had seven kills each which paced the Trailblazers during each set. This duo along with Ezmeralda Albright all recorded a game-high nine digs each.

Up Next: Utica travels to Union College to take on the Garnet Chargers on Wednesday, September 18. Game time in Schenectady, NY is set for 7p.m.