First-Year Julia Giroux had a match-high 23 kills, as the St. Lawrence University volleyball team defeated Utica University in five sets at the Oswego Tournament on Friday night.

Giroux's 23 kills ties her for eighth on the all-time list of "match-high kills" in program history.

The Pioneers came out swinging, taking the first four points, and jumping out to a 11-3 lead. Giroux had four kills, but Utica took it 25-11.

In the second set, the Scarlet and Brown again fell behind, this time 10-4, but they scored nine straight, including three service aces from Giroux, to jump ahead 13-10. Katrina Henrich had two aces as well, and the Saints took the second set 25-18.

Momentum seemed to swing back Utica's way opening the third set with the first two points, but the Saints led 11-5 midway through the set, which included a back-to-back aces from Keely Worlock. The Pioneers responded with four straight to cut the lead to two, but again St. Lawrence put together a run, including two kills from Jada Masiclat. Utica refused to go away, and it was as close as 18-17, but six-straight points to set up set point, and Lily Snide assisted on a Giroux kill to take the set 25-18.

Utica continued their streak of leading early, winning six of the first seven points. The Saints inched back until finally drawing level at 16. Utica bounced back and scored the next four. A Snide kill stopped the run, but Utica took the set 25-20 to force a fifth set.

Once again the Pioneers won the first point, but St. Lawrence won the next four. Utica pulled even at four, but again the Saints retook their lead with three-straight points. The Saints were successful on the next two side outs, and led 12-6. Utica got two back, but a pair of Giroux kills sandwiched an error by Utica gave the scarlet and brown the match win.

In addition to Giroux's 23 kills, Adeline Riesenberger had a baker's dozen and Lainey Roman had seven. Worlock finished with five aces. Snide ended with a season-high 35 assists.

Head coach Shelly Roiger
"The first set may have been the worst set in the history of Saints' volleyball, but I am very proud of how the team turned things around. They could have rolled over and stepped to the side, but instead they started working much harder and their effort was rewarded with success. Success brought them joy and joy brought them positive results. I'm proud of their fight and I thought we matured a lot during the match."

Records: St. Lawrence (2-7), Utica (5-5)
Up Next: The Saints conclude the Oswego Invitational on September 17 with games against Medaille and Oswego and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively.