MORRISVILLE, NY – The Utica University women's volleyball team opened the 2026 season on Tuesday night, falling to SUNY Morrisville in three sets, 25-22, 25-20 and 25-20.
Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) led the Pioneers offensively with eight kills and added a team-high 15 digs. Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) finished with six kills, while Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn) contributed 10 assists and three service aces. Allison Navarra (North Syracuse, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) added six digs, while Erin Baldock (Center Moriches, NY/Center Moriches) finished with three.
The opening set was a back-and-forth battle from the opening serve, featuring nine tie scores and six lead changes. After Morrisville jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage, the Pioneers answered and continued to battle their way back throughout the frame. Utica used a strong stretch midway through the set to erase a four-point deficit and even the score at 12-12. Neither team was able to create much separation from there, as the two sides traded points all the way to a 20-20 score. The Mustangs found a late run when they scored four of the next five points to take a 24-21 lead. Utica fought off one set point and pulled within 24-22, but Morrisville secured
The Pioneers carried that momentum into the second set and came out firing. After dropping the opening point, Utica responded with a 5-2 run, highlighted by back-to-back service aces from Ancewicz. Morrisville quickly swung the momentum in its favor, however, putting together a 9-1 run to turn the three-point Utica advantage into an 11-6 Mustang lead. Utica continued to fight and chipped away at the deficit late in the set. The Pioneers scored five of seven points during one stretch to pull closer, including kills from Bailey and Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) and an ace from O'Brien, but Morrisville was able to hold off the rally and take the second set, 25-20.
The third set followed a similar script, as Utica battled back from an early deficit to keep the frame close. After Morrisville built an 8-4 lead, the Pioneers responded with four straight points to even the score at 8-8. Utica continued to stay within striking distance and later tied the set at 15-15. Morrisville answered once again with a key run, scoring eight of the next 10 points to open up a 23-17 advantage. The Pioneers continued to battle down the stretch and got back-to-back points late in the set to pull within 24-20, but Morrisville secured the final point to complete the sweep.
Utica (0-1, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action on Friday, September 4 as the team travels to take on the Oneonta Invitational. Friday's first game against the hosts, SUNY Oneonta, is set for 3pm from Oneonta, NY.
