‘Cuse Captures Win in First ACC Matchup

Friday, September 25

Syracuse, NY

7:00 PM

Syracuse University

10-2

Boston College

8-5

Boston College

Syracuse

9/25/2015 10:07:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse volleyball team defeated Boston College 3-1 in the first ACC matchup of the season at home on Friday night, marking the fifth-straight win for the Orange. The Eagles took the win in a tight first set 26-24, but the Orange bounced back to win the next three sets 25-21, 25-10, 25-18.

"We're very happy to start with an (ACC) win against a very good, athletic team," Head Coach Leonid Yelin said. "Even in the first game when we lost a close game, we, like most teams, were fighting for every point. Most of our points we earned, and most importantly it was a team effort."

The first set was played in true back-and-forth fashion, with neither teams leading each other by more than two points throughout. The outcome was ultimately determined by a few key offensive plays on Boston College's end and an unforced error made by Syracuse.

The loss in the first set didn't hold back the Orange, as they pulled through a seven-point deficit halfway through the second set, going on a 9-2 run to win 25-21. Redshirt senior Nicolette Serratore was an integral part in the second set victory, posting two kills and two service aces in the final six points of the set. A pair of back-to-back attack errors by the Eagles sealed the second-set victory for the Orange.

The Orange came out firing on all cylinders in the third, taking off on an 18-3 run at the 8-7 mark and never looking back. Freshman Santita Ebangwese was a major presence at the net, with 6 of her 10 total blocks taking place in the third set. A service ace by sophomore Belle Sand capped off the third set win.

Syracuse kept the momentum up at the beginning of the fourth set, starting off with a 7-2 lead. The Eagles attempted mini comebacks throughout the rest of the set, but it wasn't enough to hold back the Orange. A kill by senior Monika Salkute topped the victory in the final set.

The Orange offense was led by the outside hitter duo of Nicolette Serratore and Monika Salkute, racking up 13 and 11 kills, respectively. Senior Gosia Wlaszczuk assisted on 42 of the total 52 kills on the evening.

The defensive effort made by multiple Syracuse players proved to be a major component of the win, as Wlaszczuk, Serratore, Sand, and senior Silvi Uattara all finished with double-digits in the dig column.

The tandem of Ebangwese and sophomore Leah Levert dominated at the net in the win, together accounting for nearly half of the total blocks. Ebangwese finished the evening with 10 total blocks, with Levert adding seven total blocks.

"We never change. From the first point to the last point, we were able to do better than what we were planning to do," Yelin added. "Sometimes we have to take care of it, and sometimes the (opposing) team makes it harder or easier for us. However, we didn't change a bit; who we want to serve, how we want to serve, how we want to block, who we want to block, what we want to do. We stick to the game plan and it works for us."

The Orange continue ACC play as they head to South Carolina for the weekend, facing Clemson on Sunday at 1 p.m.

For all of the latest information on Syracuse volleyball, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Volleyball), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseVB), and Instagram (@cusepics & @cusevb).