OSWEGO, NY - The Utica University Volleyball team dropped both of its matches on the second day of the Oswego Invitational, hosted by SUNY Oswego. The Pioneers fell to the Western Connecticut State Wolves by a score of 3-0 in the first game of the day, before falling to the hosts by a score of 3-1 in the second game.
Game One: Utica 0, WestConn, 3
Leading the way for the Pioneers was
Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) who tallied 10 kills while also chipping in 12 assists and 11 digs for a well-rounded performance.
Emylie Stanton (Latham, NY/Shaker) and
Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) followed with five kills apiece, while
Kendall Turner (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) added three. At the service line, Stanton and Turner each notched a pair of aces, with Jones adding one. Defensively,
Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) anchored the back row with a team-high 20 digs, followed by Stanton with 13 and Jones with 11. At the net,
Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) led with a solo and an assist, while
Arianna Williams (North Chili, NY/Churchvile-Chili) and Jones each added two block assists.
In the opening frame, the Pioneers jumped out to a quick 7-3 lead before WestConn surged back to take a 15-10 advantage. Utica fought to within three at 18-15, but the Wolves would hold off the rally, taking the set 25-20.
The second set saw a back-and-forth early stretch with Utica tying the score at 9-9 before a massive 7-0 run by WestConn opened up the gap. Despite a late push, the Pioneers could not close the deficit and fell 25-20 in the middle frame.
The third set proved to be the tightest of the match, with the teams trading points throughout. Utica would battle to a 23-22 lead late, but WestConn closed with three straight points to seal the set 25-23 and the 3-0 sweep.
Game Two: Utica 1, Oswego 3
Leading the way for the Pioneers was
Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) who tallied 16 kills in the contest, while
Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) recorded 12 and
Arianna Williams (North Chili, NY/Churchvile-Chili) nine. At the service line,
Emylie Stanton (Latham, NY/Shaker) continued her dominance with another pair of service aces. On defense,
Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) was dominant, registering 27 digs, while Stanton recorded 16 and Bailey 12. At the netfront, Williams continued her tear with three blocks, while Jones and MAckenzie O'Brien each recorded a pair.
The opening frame would be a back and forth battle between teams, with the score knotting at 12. The Pioneers would be able to get ahead to 21-15, but would be unable to close out the set with Oswego taking the opening frame by a score of 25-23.
The second set would see the Pioneers grab an early lead at 7-5, and would extend the lead to 17-10. Three sets of more than one point would be enough for the Pioneers to put the Lakers away by a score of 25-15 and knot the set score at one a piece.
The third set would prove to be another back and forth battle between both teams, with the Pioneers only allowing a two point lead to the Lakers through the halfway mark in the set. Oswego would be able to pull ahead, eventually taking the set by a score of 25-18.
The final frame would see the momentum begin to favor the Lakers, with the Pioneers falling behind 15-7. A late push by the Pioneers would be enough to cut the deficit to three at 21-18, but the Pioneers would be unable to complete the comeback. The Lakers would walk away with the final set by a score of 25-21.
Utica (6-9, 0-0 Empire 8) takes a short break before turning its attention to Empire 8 Conference play. The Pioneers return to action on Wednesday, October 1 as the team makes the short trip for a cross-town clash with the SUNY Poly Wildcats. Game time from Utica, NY is set for 7pm.
