Cincinnati Sweeps Past SU in Three

Sunday, October 21

Women's Building

2:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

9-14, 1-8

Cincinnati

9-14, 7-3

Cincinnati

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

10/21/2012 4:32:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Box Score | Statistics | Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Orange volleyball team (9-15, 1-8) was swept by the Cincinnati Bearcats (9-14, 7-3) in straight sets (22-25, 20-25, 19-25) on Sunday afternoon in the Women's Building.

"Today was all about ball control and Cincinnati is very good at handling the ball and that's what really gave them such a big advantage over us," head coach Leonid Yelin said.

The Orange opened the match strong, capitalizing on two Cincinnati service errors while keeping the set within a point for the first seven points. A pair of service aces by Emily Betteridge and Nicolette Serratore gave Syracuse an early lead at 12-9 entering the first timeout of the set. Unable to maintain the lead however, an intense battle ensued between the Orange and Bearcats in the opening frame, giving Cincinnati the lead and ultimately the first set.

Cincinnati ran away with the second set, amassing an early 9-3 lead led by BIG EAST Player of the Week, Jordanne Scott. Scott racked up eight kills for the Bearcats, adding three blocks, including one solo block.

Although the Orange brought the lead within three at the 13-17 mark, the Bearcats constant communication and 16 kills, gave Cincinnati a two-game lead heading into the third set.

The Bearcats carried that momentum through the third set, but not without offensive pressure from Syracuse. An ace by Samantha Fisher tied the set at 9-9 before a four-touch violation on Cincinnati gave Syracuse the lead the next three points.

"Volleyball is a game of momentum and when they had it we didn't and they ended up winning the game on that momentum," libero Melina Violas said.

Although Cincinnati was held to a .241 hitting percentage in the final frame, they regrouped quickly to outscore the Orange and finish the match without a fourth set in sight.

Outside hitter, Silvi Uattara led the Orange offense with 11 kills and three digs, while Nicolette Serratore contributed eight digs, seven kills and a service ace. Monika Salkute led the defense with two blocks, while setters Emily Betteridge and Amanda Kullman dished out a combined 26 assists.

The Bearcat offense was led by Emily Hayden who had 12 kills and two blocks. Middle blocker Me'Ashah Nicholson led the defense with four blocks and six kills. Setter Rachel Rohlfs recorded 20 assists.

Syracuse will travel to Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. to play Villanova on Saturday, Oct. 27 before taking on Georgetown on Sunday, Oct. 28 at noon to conclude BIG EAST road matchups for the Orange.