OSWEGO, NY - The Utica University volleyball team fell in both of its matches on day one of the Oswego Invitational, hosted by Oswego State. The Pioneers fell by a score of 3-1 to the SUNY Canton Kangaroos in game one of the afternoon, before falling 3-2 against the Pitt-Bradford Panthers in game two of the evening.
Game One: Utica 1, SUNY Canton, 3
Leading the way for the Pioneers in game one was Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) who tallied six kills in the contest, while Kendall Turner (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) and Arianna Williams (North Chili, NY/Churchvile-Chili) recorded five each. At the service line, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) and Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) each tallied a pair of service aces. On the defensive side, Wright anchored the back row with 12 digs, while Allison Navarra (North Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) recorded nine, and Emylie Stanton (Latham, NY/Shaker) recorded eight. At the netfront, Arianna Williams (North Chili, NY/Churchvile-Chili) was a workhorse, recording a team high seven block assists, while Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) recorded six with a solo and five assists, with Charley Herrington (Colonie, NY/Colonie Central) recording four assists.
Utica would get out to an early 6-2 lead in the opening frame, before getting out to as much as eight at 16-8. Late in the set, the Kangaroos would be able to string together points to knot the set at 19 a piece before trading blows with the Pioneers to push the set into extras. The teams would continue to trade blows, with the Pioneers unable to take the set, eventually falling by a score of 31-29 in the opening frame.
The second set would see the Pioneers keep a close pace with Canton, cutting the early deficit to as little as two before a massive 11 point run by Canton late would put the Pioneers away by a score of 25-10 in the middle frame.
A change in momentum would be in order for the Pioneers in the third set, with the Pioneers able to put together seven points that would put the Kangaroos away late in the set, with Utica taking the third set by a score of 25-22.
The final set would see a closely contested battle between the two teams before Canton would pull away with a five point run that would put the Pioneers away by a score of 25-17.
Game Two: Utica 2, Pitt-Bradford 3
Leading the Pioneers in game two was once again Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) with nine kills, while Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) registered eight and Emylie Stanton (Latham, NY/Shaker) with seven. At the service line, Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn) recorded a trip of aces, while Bailey notched a pair. On the defensive side of the ball, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) once again was everywhere for the Pioneers recorded 27 digs, while Jones recorded 15 and Stanton 10. At the netfront, Williams once again lead the Pioneers with three blocks, while Jones and Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) got in on the action with a pair each.
Utica would drop the opening set by a score of 25-18, as Pitt.-Bradford was able to take advantage of a string of Utica errors midway through the frame to pull away after a tight start.
The second set saw Utica bounce back strong, building momentum off several service runs and defensive stops to edge Pitt.-Bradford in extras, 26-24, and even the match at one apiece.
Riding that momentum, the Pioneers dominated the third frame, stringing together multiple scoring runs behind timely kills and service aces to put Pitt.-Bradford away, 25-16, and take a 2–1 match lead.
The fourth set shifted back in Pitt.-Bradford's favor, as they jumped out early with a big service run and never looked back. Despite a brief Utica push, Pitt.-Bradford held on to take it 25-19, forcing a decisive fifth set.
In the final frame, the two sides traded points early before Pitt.-Bradford pulled away with a late surge, securing the match with a 15-8 win in the fifth set.
Utica (6-6, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, September 20 in the second day of the Oswego Invitational. Game one is set for 12pm against Western Connecticut State in Oswego, NY.
