UTICA, NY - The Utica University volleyball team took down the visiting SUNY Canton Kangaroos in sweeping fashion on Friday evening, sending the Kangaroos home by a score of 3-0. 
 
Leading the way for the Pioneers was Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) who recorded 13 kills, followed by Kendall Turner (Huber Heights, OH/Wayne) with eight, and Lauren Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) with seven. Lending a helping hand with the Pioneer offensive barrage was Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn), who recorded 16 assists and Jones with 11. At the service line, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) was dominant with three service aces, while Jones, Bailey, Ancewicz, and Turner each recorded one. On the defensive side, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) led the team in digs with 28, while Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) led the Pioneers' netfront presence with a solo block and an assist. Jada Anthony (West Nyack, NY/Clarkstown South) and Jones were also dominant at the netfront, putting together a massive block to put the final point of the contest away in favor of the Pioneers. 
 
The opening frame would see both teams compete for the lead in the frame, before a five-point run sparked by kills from Wright, Liv Leider (Miami, FL/Felix Varela), and Bailey would five the Pioneers the edge at 9-4. Another five point run would give the Pioneers insurance after a trio of attacking errors by the Kangaroos and a pair of kills by Bailey, putting Utica ahead at 14-6. Canton would attempt to mount a comeback against the Pioneers, but would be stifled after a trio of Pioneer kills that would put the first frame away 25-17 in favor of Utica. 
 
The middle set would see Utica fight from behind early, with the Kangaroos unwavering in their offensive efforts until a kill from Jones would spark a seven point run by the Pioneers to take the lead in the set at 15-12. Canton would be able to make up the deficit, but another six point run on a slew of attacking errors by the Kangaroos would give Utica the lead at 23-17. The Pioneers would give up four points before putting the set away by a score of 25-21. 
 
The final frame would see the Pioneers jump out to an early 7-2 lead before allowing a five point run to the Kangaroos after exchanging points, putting Canton ahead in the set at 11-9. The Pioneers would be able to take hold of the lead with a service error by Canton and an ace from Ancewicz at 13-12. Canton would take back the lead, and be able to put Utica in a four point hole before the Pioneers would rally from behind, capitalizing on Canton errors before putting together a massive block by Anthony and Jones to take the final set by a score of 26-24. 
 
Utica (3-2, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, September 6 as the team travels to take on the Bard Tri-Match, hosted by Bard College. Game one against Bard is set for 11am, while game two against Hunter College is set for 1pm.