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Strong serving propelled the Oswego State volleyball team to a straight-set victory over Utica on Wednesday night in Oswego.  The Lakers cruised through the first two sets by the scores of 25-12 and 25-15 before prevailing in a tough third set 25-23 to improve to 5-9 overall, while the Pioneers fell to 1-12.  Head coach Pat Hanlon's squad kept the Utica offense off balance the entire evening as Oswego State registered 15 service aces.  Katie van Kessel and Liz Crouch led the way with four aces apiece followed by three from Rachel Rossi.

The squads were tied 4-4 in the first set before van Kessel put down a kill and stepped behind the service line.  Multiple kills by Sabrina Sutton and Courtney Price combined with three van Kessel service aces fueled a 9-0 Laker run, giving Oswego State a comfortable 13-4 lead.  van Kessel closed out the set with her fifth kill of the match to put the Lakers ahead 1-0.

A similar story panned out in the second set as Utica struggled to run its offense due to Oswego State's strong serving.  The Pioneers trailed 12-11 after a kill by Audrey Cross, but the Lakers outscored Utica 15-4 the rest of the way for the two-set lead.

Set three was a seesaw battle between the teams with Oswego State clinging to a one-point lead at 20-19.  However, a pair of Utica miscues coupled with a service ace by Price gave the Lakers a four-point advantage, prompting a timeout by the visiting squad.  The timeout worked as the Pioneers tallied the next three points to make the score 23-22.  Oswego State proved to be too strong, though, as Chelsea Crump sealed the victory with a kill in the middle.

van Kessel led all players with 11 kills to go along with her four aces followed by Crump with six kills. Stephany Olsheksi handed out 15 assists in the first two sets, while Brittany Jones registered nine the third set.  Defensively, Liz Crouch recorded 15 digs.  Heather Jackson paced the Pioneers with four kills, while Chelsie Petras handed out 11 assists. 

The Lakers will compete in the first round of SUNYAC Pool Play on Friday and Saturday at Geneseo.