UTICA, NY – The Alfred University women's volleyball team claimed their second Empire 8 win of the season with a 3-1 victory over Utica College on Saturday afternoon.

The Saxons (8-12, 2-3 Empire 8) topped Utica after dropping the first set 23-25 and then went 25-22, 25-21 and 25-14 to pick up the win. This is the first season since 2010 that the Saxons have earned two Empire 8 wins since 2010 when they defeated Hartwick and Utica.

Alfred University was led by first year Amber Smith (Penfield, NY/Webster Schroeder) who had 19.0 points from a match-high 17 kills and added two aces while breaking into double-digits in digs with 10.

Juniors Jacquelynn Hicks (Greenville, NY/Greenville) and Heather D'Andrea (Erie, PA/Mercyhurst Prep) also broke into double figures with 11 kills each. Hicks finished with 16 points by adding a team-tying high three aces and a team-high two solo blocks. D'Andrea posted 12.5 points with her ace and assisted block.

Senior Mary Lou Patnaude (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake) added six kills, three aces and two assisted blocks as she also had double-figures in points with 10.0.

Sophomore Elisabeth Estep (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) led the Saxons with 17 digs and was joined by D'Andrea's 15 digs and three other teammates who all had 10 digs. Smith, Patnaude and senior Valerie Cardillo (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) all had 10 digs.

Junior Aubrey Totsline (Fairport, NY/Fairport) had a match-best 21 set assists. She added five digs and had one ace.

In the earlier match, the Saxons fell to Nazareth College 3-0 by set scores of 16-25, 15-25 and 19-25.

Alfred University was led by Smith's 10.5 points from eight kills and five assisted blocks. Hicks had 10.0 points from seven kills, four assisted blocks and one solo.

D'Andrea had a team-best 18 digs while Smith and Estep followed with 17 digs and 11 digs, respectively. Totsline had another 21 set assist performance.

The Saxons will next travel to Elmira, NY for an Empire 8 match with the Soaring Eagles of Elmira College on Wednesday, October 12 for a 6:00 pm first serve time.