COBLESKILL, NY - The Utica University volleyball team earned a commanding 3-0 win over SUNY Cobleskill on Tuesday evening inside Iorio Gymnasium.

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham), who paced the offense with 12 kills, three service aces, and eight digs for a strong all-around performance. Emylie Stanton (Latham, NY/Shaker) followed with eight kills and a .313 hitting percentage, while Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) added eight kills and a block. Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) directed the offense with 19 assists, adding six kills, two aces, and seven digs. Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) anchored the back row with 23 digs, while Kendall Turner (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) chipped in six digs and two aces.

The opening set began with the Pioneers jumping ahead at 5-1 early, before Utica went on a seven-point surge behind kills from Bailey and Herrington, along with a service ace from Bailey, to take a 12-5 lead. Cobleskill responded with a small run of its own to close the gap to 15-13, but the Pioneers maintained their composure. Consecutive aces from Turner and a kill from Bailey pushed Utica ahead 19-13. The Fighting Tigers fought back late, cutting it to 22-19, before Anthony slammed down the final point to seal the 25-22 win.

In the second frame, Utica found its rhythm early, after a pair of kills from Bailey. Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) stepped to the service line and delivered back-to-back aces to extend the lead to 8-3. The Pioneers kept their foot on the gas with strong hitting from Stanton and Bailey, who combined for six kills in the set. A late service ace from Bailey and a kill by Charley Herrington (Colonie, NY/Colonie Central) helped Utica pull away for a 25-15 set victory.

The final set saw the Pioneers dominate from start to finish. Stanton opened the frame with two quick kills and an ace, followed by powerful swings from Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh), Bailey, and Anthony that gave Utica a 8-3 lead. Anthony then caught fire with another pair of kills, and O'Brien added another one of her own to make it 13-9. An 8-1 Utica run, highlighted by kills from Bailey, Anthony, Jones, O'Brien, and Stanton, extended the lead to 21-14. The Pioneers closed the match in style as Stanton recorded the final kill off a feed from Jones, securing the 25-19 win and the sweep.

Utica (8-12, 1-2 Empire 8) returns to action on Friday, October 10 as the team travels to take on Alfred University. Game time from Alfred, NY is set for 7pm.