Utica, NY—Russell Sage College's women's volleyball team travelled to Utica College for their season opener on Wednesday night at Utica College.  After Utica took the first two sets, 25-22, 25-20, the Gators picked up a 29-27 win in the third set to force a fourth set. The Pioneers posted the 25-17 win in the fourth set to take the win on opening night, 3-1. Utica improves to 1-0 overall and in the Empire 8, while RSC is now 0-1 overall and in the league.

After the Gators picked up the win in the third set to force a bonus set, the final set had three lead changes with five ties before the Pioneers recorded the victory.

RSC's junior Emma Parkington (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional) had a team-leading 12 points after collecting a double-double on 12 kills with 14 digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Elaina Moisidis (Albany, NY/Albany) had eight digs for the Gators in the match.

Senior defensive specialist Kayla Weaver (Amsterdam, NY/Broadalbin Perth) racked up 26 digs in the match with two kills, while junior setter Francessca Gigliotti (Dalton, MA/Wahconah Regional) added 26 setting assists with three solo blocks along with 11 digs and two kills.

Junior middle hitter Celia Gagnon (Troy, NY/Ichabod Crane), who made her Gator debut on Wednesday added nine kills with six digs and 14.0 points to lead the team on the night.

Rookie defensive specialist Rylie Gray (Bombay, NY/Salmon River Central) tallied 13 digs with three aces and a kill in the contest.

RSC is back in action for an Empire 8 double header at St. John Fisher College on March 21 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.