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UTICA, N.Y. -- Visiting Nazareth defeated Utica in three sets in Wednesday's Empire 8 volleyball match.The scores were 25-20, 28-26, 25-16. The Golden Flyers had eight different players record kills led by juniors Maria Allocco and Kassandra Buseck The tandem amassed 10 kills apiece and only four total hitting errors to lead Nazareth's attack.

With the victory, the Golden Flyers improve to 2-0 in conference matches and 14-3 overall. Nazareth is unbeaten in its last four matches. The Pioneers, meanwhile, fall to 0-3 in the Empire 8 standings and 4-10 overall.

In addition to the 20 combined kills from Allocco and Buseck, the Golden Flyers received eight kills from junior Chelsea Beecher and seven kills from classmate Taylor Stabley. Sophomores Jennifer Hicks and Melissa Kline recorded five kills and three kills, respectively. Allocco and Beecher also tallied three service aces apiece. The Golden Flyers finished with an 8-4 advantage in aces.

Freshmen Maureen Thayer and Madi Wickens combined for 34 total assists to direct Nazareth's offense. Thayer finished with 20 assists, and Wickens had 14. The Golden Flyers recorded at least 13 kills in each set to take control of the match.

Defensively, Nazareth allowed Utica double-digit kills in only the second set. The Pioneers tallied 13 kills to push the set to a 28-26 score. The Golden Flyers held Utica to a total of 17 kills and forced nine total hitting errors in sets one and three. Thayer accumulated a team-high 13 digs, followed by Beecher who had nine digs. Hicks tallied four assisted blocks to thwart several Utica attempts.

Brandi Blaszak had a match-high 12 kills for the Pioneers. Lora Allen had 20 assists, and Briona Enny finished with a match-high 14 digs.

The Golden Flyers' next scheduled match is next week when Nazareth travels to Geneseo for a non-conference match on Wednesday evening.