ALBANY, N.Y. – Russell Sage College Women's Volleyball got their first Empire 8 Conference victory on Friday night, sweeping the visiting Utica Pioneers (25-23, 25-23, 25-20).

The Gators (11-7/1-1 E8) combined for 42 kills over the three sets. Senior outside hitter Macey Salvione (Johnstown, NY/Gloversville) led the way with 15, while junior middle hitter Aniyah Kelley (Newcastle, DE/William Penn) also found herself in double digits, tallying 10. Middle hitter Caitlin Hammecker (Warnerville, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville/ Keuka), a grad student, added eight of her own.

Salvione, a two-time Empire 8 Conference Player of the Week this season, also topped the Gators in digs, registering a game-high 23. Senior libero Katelyn Atchinson (Alplaus, NY/Niskayuna/Saint Rose) contributed 13 digs in the contest.

The Pioneers (5-7/1-1 E8) had seven players contribute multiple kills in the loss.

After hosting Utica on Friday night, the Gators will get on the Premiere buses in the morning to head to Utica for a noon start at SUNY Poly.

Gator Bites: RSC began last week leading Empire 8 Conference with 137 aces, 3.04 per-set…Nationally, the Gators ranked 18th and 20th respectively in those stats…A dozen players returned to the court in 2024…Salvione, middle hitter Monalissa Carius (Hudson, NY/Hudson), a grad student, and Kelley headlined the group…Head Coach Rosilyn Cummings added four newcomers including transfers senior libero Atchinson and setter Emma Rainville (Castleton, NY/Columbia/Binghamton), a grad student, to the squad…Cummings was inducted into the SUNY Plattsburgh Athletic Hall of Fame on September 27…Salvione was announced as the E8 Player of the Week for the periods ending Sunday, September 15 and Sunday, September 29…She commenced the week leading the Conference with 261.5 points, 216 kills, 45 aces, and 0.83 aces per-set...The outside hitter has tallied double-digit kills 13 times and nine double-doubles this fall.