UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team took down the visiting Elmira College Soaring Eagles by a score of 3-0 on Saturday afternoon. 

Leading the way for the Pioneers was Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) who slammed home nine kills, while Kendall Turner (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) managed seven, and Charley Herrington (Colonie, NY/Colonie Central) managed four. At the service line, Turner shines posting a team high six service aces, while Allison Navarra (North Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) recorded three. At the netfront, Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) put together a fantastic showing with a team high five blocks with one solo and four assists. Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) followed suit with four block assists, while Arianna Williams (North Chili, NY/Churchvile-Chili) chipped in two of her own. On defense, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) anchored the back row with 11 digs, while Turner managed 10 of her own, and Jones chipped in six. 

Utica would come out swinging in the opening frame, with a 4-0 lead early. The teams would trade blows, with the Pioneers being able to put together a five point run to push the lead to 14-7 in favor of Utica. Another five point run by the Pioneers would push the lead to 21-10 late in the frame. Two pairs of points would be enough for the Pioneers to put the Soaring Eagles away in the opening frame by a score of 25-12. 

In the middle frame, the Pioneers would once again maintain momentum early, taking the lead at 10-3 on a massive eight point run with strong serving from Wright and kills from Bailey. Elmira would be able to cut the deficit to two, but a 6-1 run would give the Pioneers another comfortable lead at 16-9. A six point run late by Utica would push the lead to 22-10. Elmira would be able to stave off set point, but a service error by the Soaring Eagles would send the Pioneers into the final frame with a 2-0 lead by a score of 25-14. 

The final frame would see the Pioneers able to get out early, with an 11-1 lead to start the final frame. Elmira would be able to cut the deficit to four at 13-9, but the Pioneers would be able to hold on. Another eight point run from strong serving by Navarra with a pair of aces and kills from Turner would put the Pioneers on top 23-11. Elmira would be able to hold off set point, but the Pioneers would put together a pair of points to take the set by a score of 25-12. 

Utica (13-16, 5-6 Empire 8) has clinched a berth into the 2025 Empire 8 Conference Tournament. More information regarding the playoff will be released as it is available.