ROCHESTER, NY -- The Nazareth University Women's Volleyball team closed its regular season Empire 8 schedule with a four-set victory (25-14, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14) over visiting Utica Saturday afternoon. The  Golden Flyers used a balanced attack with three players finishing with double-digit kills, led by junior Tessa Grover with 17. Junior Ruth Jackson and sophomore Leah Fusili contributed 11 kills apiece.

With the victory, Nazareth improves to 9-15 overall and 5-3 in Empire 8 contests. The Golden Flyers finish fourth in the final regular season Empire 8 standings and will host a first round tournament match Tuesday, November 7.  The official seedlings and pairing will be announced by the Empire 8 conference office Saturday evening.

The Golden Flyers dominated the opening set with a .522 hitting percentage with 13 kills on 23 attempts and only one error. Grover had five kills and Fusili had three kills to lead the attack. Nazareth amassed five service aces during the set as well, with junior Mary Tassone recording a pair.

In the second set, Nazareth trailed by as many as four points, 13-9, before scoring four straight points to pull back into the set. A kill by Grover started the scoring run, which was followed by a kill from sophomore Rylie Loomis, then a pair of aces from Fusili. The Golden Flyers and Pioneers remained close before Nazareth took control with another 4-0 scoring run to change a 19-18 Nazareth deficit into a 22-19 lead. Kills by Fusili and junior Ryleigh Bidwell started the run, which was followed by a Utica attack error, and capped a kill by Jackson. Fusili closed the set with her third service ace of the set.

The Pioneers won the fourth set with a .200 hitting percentage and 60 percent side out percentage compared to a .154 hitting percentage and 48 percent side out percentage for Nazareth. After Utica built a 20-13 lead, the Golden Flyers closed the gap to three points with a 4-0 run, but Utica held off the Nazareth rally.

The Golden Flyers closed out the match with another 25-14 victory. Nazareth's attack converted .282 of its attacks while holding the Pioneers to a .069 hitting percentage with only six kills and four errors. Jackson tallied four kills in the set, and Loomis, Fusili, and Grover each had three kills. Fusili and junior Zoe Tylipakis frustrated the Utica attack as they combined for 11 digs. They finished the match leading the team in digs with 13 and 12, respectively.

The Golden Flyers are in action again Novermber 4th at the Clarkson Tri-Match when Nazareth plays Clarkson and Cortland. The first round of the Empire 8 Tournament is on November 7th.