'Cuse Win Streak Snapped At No. 18 Duke

Friday, November 1

Durham, NC

6:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

10-13, 5-6ACC

Duke

19-3, 10-1ACC

Syracuse

Duke

Redshirt junior Lindsay McCabe added five more blocks to her career total of 397 to move into sole possession of sixth on SU's all-time blocks list

11/1/2013 11:32:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Box Score | Season Statistics

Durham, N.C. - Syracuse's four-match unbeaten streak was put to an end on Friday night, as the Orange fell to nationally ranked No. 18 Duke in an Atlantic Coast Conference match at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Both teams entered the contest riding four-match win streaks. Syracuse (10-13, 5-6 ACC) looked strong in the early-goings earning a surprising first set victory. However, the Blue Devils (19-3, 10-1) proved too tough to keep up with and won the last three sets to take the match (16-25, 25-10, 25-17, 25-20). Over the final three sets, Duke outhit SU .343 to .094.

Redshirt junior Lindsay McCabe had a solid night on both offensive and defensive ends, finishing with six kills for a .455 hitting percentage and five block assists. The block total gives McCabe 397 in her career, moving her into sole possession of sixth in the all-time record books at SU.

Sophomore Silvi Uattara recorded a team-best 12 kills to go along with seven digs. Junior Melina Violas reached double-digit digs for the eighth time in as many outings for a season-high 18 digs. Reigning ACC Freshman of the Week Erica Handley passed out 30 assists.

The Orange grabbed a commanding 11-4 lead in the first set and never trailed in the opener. SU had five kills in the opening run from five different players. Duke used a 7-2 spurt to climb within 13-11 but wouldn't get any closer as SU answered back with a 7-2 run of its own to go up 20-13. Holding onto a 21-16 lead, junior Nicolette Serratore tallied two kills and a block to help the Orange close out the set with a .393 hitting percentage to just .029 for the Blue Devils.

Duke came out fired up in the second, scoring 17 of the first 20 points on its way to an easy set victory to even the match at 1-1. Four Blue Devils had at least three kills in the set with Chelsea Cook's four helping the home team rack up a .519 hitting clip.

With the match lead at stake, Duke jumped out to a 9-5 lead in the third set. Syracuse battled back for its first lead of the frame at 10-9, but a 4-1 run behind three kills from Emily Sklar put the Blue Devils back on 12-11 and Duke never trailed again in the set. SU knotted the score at 12-12 on the next play before a three run spurt put Duke on top for good. The teams traded sideouts with Syracuse closing the gap to 19-17 only to see the Blue Devils tally the final six points to win the set.

SU took advantage of 10 miscues by Duke in the fourth set to keep the score close, but ultimately fell short in the end. Neither team led by more than one until four straight from the Blue Devils made it 8-5. Duke pushed its lead to 14-9, when Syracuse went on a 10-4 run to take a 19-18 lead. With the Orange looking to extend the match into a fifth set and hanging onto a 20-19 lead, the Blue Devils stepped up and scored the next six points to close out the match with the help of three more kills from Cook.

Sklar, the reigning ACC Player of the Week led all players with 17 kills and added 12 digs for a double-double. Maggie Deichmesiter (50 assists, 11 digs) and Elizabeth Campbell (15 kills, 10 digs) also recorded double-doubles for the Blue Devils. Two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year Ali McCurdy notched a match0high 22 digs.

Syracuse resumes its road trip at Wake Forest on Saturday Nov. 2 at 6:30 p.m.