ONEONTA, NY - The Utica University women's volleyball team battled through two matches Friday at Dewar Arena, falling to SUNY Oneonta, 3-0, before dropping a four-set decision to the University of Rochester, 3-1.
Oneonta 3, Utica 0
Oneonta opened the first set with a 7-0 run before Utica got on the board. The Pioneers battled back throughout the set, pulling within 18-14 after a kill from Mackenzie O'Brien (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh), but Oneonta closed the frame with seven of the final 11 points to take the opening set, 25-18.
The Red Dragons again established an early advantage in the second set, building a 10-3 lead. Utica responded with points from Arianna Williams (North Chili, NY/Churchville-Chili), Trinity Bailey (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) and others, but Oneonta maintained control and eventually took the set, 25-14.
Utica came out stronger in the third set, with the teams trading points early before Oneonta built a 13-9 advantage. The Pioneers continued to battle and later cut the deficit to 22-20 following a kill from Elizabeth Hanba (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy). Oneonta answered with the next three points, however, to complete the 3-0 sweep with a 25-20 third-set victory.
Hanba led the Pioneers with five kills, while Bailey, Megan Wright (Clay Center, KS/Clay Center Community) and Williams each recorded four. Addison Jones (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham) finished with nine assists, while Alicia Ancewicz (Greenlawn, NY/John Glenn) added seven assists, along with eight digs.
Rochester 3, Utica 1
The Pioneers returned to the court against Rochester and came out firing, jumping to an early lead in the opening set. Utica raced ahead 5-0 before Rochester battled back to tie the set at 5-5. Utica regained control with a strong stretch midway through the frame, using a combination of kills and Rochester errors to build an 18-10 advantage. Bailey continued to make an impact offensively, while Utica received kills from Williams, Hanba and Charley Herrington (Colonie, NY/Colonie Central). The Pioneers maintained their advantage down the stretch and took the opening set, 25-14.
Rochester answered in the second set, but Utica remained within striking distance for much of the frame. After Rochester built a 15-12 lead, the Yellowjackets extended the margin late to even the match with a 25-19 victory.
The third set proved to be another battle, with both teams trading runs and the lead changing hands multiple times. Utica stayed within striking distance after coming back from 24-17 to 24-21 before Rochester scored the final point to take a 2-1 match lead.
Rochester then used a strong start in the fourth set to create separation. Utica continued to fight, but the Yellowjackets pulled away late to close out the 25-13 set and the 3-1 victory.
Bailey turned in one of her strongest performances of the day, finishing with a match-high 13 kills on 40 attacks while hitting .275. Hanba added seven kills, while Williams contributed three. Jones paced the offense with 13 assists, and Ancewicz added nine assists. Utica finished with 27 kills and 26 assists as a team.
Utica (0-3, 0-0 Empire 8) returns to action tomorrow, Saturday, September 5 as the team takes on day two of the Oneonta Invitational taking on Wheaton College at 10:00am, and Paul Smiths College at 12pm.Â
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