ONEONTA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team fell in both of it's matches at the Hartwick Invitational, hosted by Hartwick College. The Pioneers fell to the ghosts by a score of 3-0 in the first game of the day, before falling to the Alfred State College Pioneers by a score of 3-1 in the second game. 
 
Game One: Utica, 0 Hartwick, 3
 
Leading the way for the Pioneers in game one was Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community), who became just the seventh player in program history to eclipse the 1,000 career digs milestone. Wright finished the contest tied with a team high 13 digs along with Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham). Jones led the Pioneer offense with four kills, while Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) and Emylie Stanton (Latham, NY/Shaker) each had three. At the service line, Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) and Erin Baldock (Center Moriches, NY/Center Moriches) each recorded a pair of aces. O'Brien was a key piece of the Pioneers' netfront presence with five block assists while Charley Herrington (Colonie, NY/Colonie Central) nabbed two. 
 
The Pioneers would fall behind early in the opening frame at 12-5, and would eventually be able to cut the deficit to as low as five at 19-14. Despite the late push, the Pioneers would be unable to overcome the deficit and fall by a score of 25-17 in the first set. 
 
The middle frame would open as a tightly contested battle, with both teams exchanging blows. The Pioneers would only be behind by two in the set before a seven point run by Hartwick would put the Pioneers down by nine late in the set. The deficit would be too much for the Pioneers to overcome, falling in the middle frame by a score of 25-18. 
 
The final set would see the Pioneers take an early lead at 10-8 before allowing a five point run to the Hawks to give them back the lead at 13-10. The Pioneers would be able to keep the deficit in control, but two sets of three points by the Hawks would be enough for Hartwick to walk away with the 3-0 win. 
 
Game Two: Utica 1, Alfred State, 3
 
Leading the Pioneers in game two was Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) who recorded 11 kills, followed by Kendall Turner (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) with seven and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) with four. At the service line, Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) was dominant recording six service aces, followed by Jones with two. At the netfront, Jones was a key piece of the Pioneer defense, recording five block assists, while Arianna Williams (North Chili, NY/Churchvile-Chili) recorded three. On defense, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) managed 12 digs, while Bailey recorded 10 and Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn) recorded seven. 
 
The opening frame would see the Pioneers capitalize on a slew of attacking errors by Alfred State to get out to a 7-1 lead early. A four point run by Alfred State would put them within three, but the Pioneers would be able to hold on. The Pioneers would be able to get back out by eight late in the set after continuing to capitalize on errors by Alfred State, and a five point run by the Pioneers would put Alfred State away by a score of 25-13. 
 
The second set would see the tide turn in favor of Alfred State after the Pioneers would allow a 7-2 lead early in the set. Utica would be able to come within one at 11-10, but a six point run by Alfred State that would follow would be enough to put the Pioneers away. Alfred State would take the second set by a score of 25-14. 
 
The third set would see the both team exchanging blows before the Pioneers would be able to get ahead by five courtesy of a kill and four straight service aces by Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham). Utica was able to grow the lead to seven before Alfred State would put together a seven point run to take the lead at 18-17. Both teams would exchange blows once more before Alfred State would put together another large six point run to put the Pioneers away by a score of 25-19. 
 
The fourth and final frame would see a tightly contested battle early with the Pioneers being able to get ahead by three at 13-10. Alfred State would be able to turn the momentum into its favor, overcoming the deficit and  taking the lead at 20-16. Both teams would trade blows before Alfred State would be able to get the final points needed for the win by a score of 26-24. 
 
Utica (7-12, 1-2 Empire 8) returns to action on Tuesday, October 7 as the team travels to take on the SUNY Cobleskill Tigers. Game time from Cobleskill, NY is set for 7pm.