Orange Swept By UConn

Sunday, November 4

Carrier Dome

12:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

10-18,2-11

Connecticut

17-11,8-5

UCONN

Syracuse

Silvi Uattara (right) led the Orange with 13 kills against the Huskies

11/4/2012 2:44:00 PM | Volleyball

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Orange volleyball team (10-18, 2-11) was swept by the Connecticut Huskies (17-11, 8-5) in straight sets (22-25, 15-25, 23-25) on Sunday afternoon in the first-ever volleyball match in the Carrier Dome.

"Today our ball control skills were just not up to par and if we do not continue to work hard to correct this issue, we are going to continue to struggle on the court," head coach Leonid Yelin said.

The Orange opened the match strong, capitalizing on three UConn attacking errors to take an early 9-4 lead. Five service errors marred the Huskies, as Syracuse continued to extend the lead. Three straight points and several Orange attacking errors halted SU's offensive strike and gave the Huskies their first lead at 19-20. As the Huskies continued to pressure the Orange, SU let the lead slip away, giving Connecticut the first set.

The Huskies took control of the second set with an 8-4 lead, powered by a pair of easy kills that extended the UConn lead by six points to set the score at 12-6 heading into the first timeout of the match.

A block by Monika Salkute and kill by Silvi Uattara brought the Orange within three at the 10-13 mark, but the Huskies easily rebounded from their mistakes, giving Connecticut a two-game lead heading into the third set.

In attempt to halt the UConn offensive momentum, the Orange pressured the Huskies throughout the entire third set. SU took their first lead in the third frame off a hot streak from Silvi Uattara, who kept hope alive for the Orange with a narrow 9-7 advantage. SU held the Huskies to just one kill over the next four points. Unable to sustain the Orange lead, Syracuse let UConn take over the lead at 19-16 and could not regroup for a final offensive push, falling 23-25 in the final set.

"A lot of things went wrong for us today and we really never got the chance to get momentum going and they took advantage of that," said Nicolette Serratore.

Outside hitter Silvi Uattara led the Orange offense with 13 kills and four digs, while Nicolette Serratore contributed 16 digs, eight kills and a service ace. Nicolette Serratore led the defense with a solo block, while setters Emily Betteridge and Amanda Kullman dished out a combined 22 assists.

The Huskies offense was led by Mattison Quayle who had 13 kills and two blocks. Erika Thomas led the defense with three blocks and nine kills. Setter Rachel Rohlfs recorded 26 assists.

SU will host Villanova on Friday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Women's Building before hosting their second match of the season slated for the Carrier Dome. The Orange will host Seton Hall on Senior Day at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11 in the Dome.