Orange Claims 3-1 Victory over Tigers

Sunday, September 27

Clemson, SC

1:00 PM

Syracuse University

12-2

Clemson

5-9

Syracuse

Clemson

9/27/2015 5:26:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. - The Syracuse volleyball team extended its winning streak on Sunday afternoon, defeating ACC opponent Clemson in a four-set victory at Jervey Gymnasium in Clemson, S.C.

The Orange took the first two sets 25-23 and 25-19 before dropping the third set 25-23. A loss in the third set wasn't enough to hold Syracuse down, as the Orange bounced back to win the fourth set, 25-22. Syracuse is now 11-2 on the season and 2-0 in ACC play, marking its sixth-straight win and its best overall record since the 2010 season.

The Orange and the Tigers battled neck-and-neck in the first set, with neither team allowing the other to lead by more than three points. The largest lead of the game came at set point, with Syracuse up 24-21. A kill by Clemson and an attack error by Syracuse brought the Tigers within one point, 24-23, but a block by freshman Santita Ebangwese and Silvi Uattara capped the first set, 25-23.

A kill by Uattara started off the second set and established the Syracuse lead for the rest of the set. With a steady lead for the first part of the game, Syracuse began to pull away with a 15-10 lead. Unforced errors made by Clemson and a kill by senior Monika Salkute extended the Orange lead 18-11, but the Tigers didn't give up, cutting a seven-point deficit down to three at the 20-17 mark. A service ace by freshman Mariia Levanova and three kills by Uattara in the final points of the game set the Orange up for a 25-19 victory.

The Orange started off the third set strong, jumping out to an 8-2 lead. Clemson continued to put up a fight, making a comeback near the halfway mark of the game and cutting the Syracuse lead down to two points, 13-11. The Tigers proceeded to tie the game at 15 and continued to build enough momentum to stay within a few points of the Orange. With the set tied again at 22, a service ace and back-to-back kills by the Tigers lifted Clemson past Syracuse, taking the first lead of the set to win 25-23.

Syracuse once again jumped out to an early lead, outscoring Clemson 8-2 before the Tigers proceeded to make a 10-2 run, taking the lead 12-10. The Orange and the Tigers battled back and forth for the next few plays before Syracuse began to pull away with a four-point lead heading into the final five points of the game. The two ACC opponents battled until the end, but it was two unforced errors by the Tigers and a kill by Salkute in the final play of the match that sealed the Orange victory, 25-22.

The Orange were led by senior duo Uattara and Salkute, each posting 14 kills on the afternoon. Senior Gosia Wlaszczuk added six kills while tallying 36 assists.

The Syracuse defense was led by sophomore libero Belle Sand, who racked up a career-best 22 digs. The trio of Ebangwese, Salkute, and sophomore Leah Levert dominated the net, each posting six total blocks on the afternoon.

The Orange continue ACC action with a pair of road games this coming week, as they take on Louisville on Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. and Notre Dame on Sunday at noon.

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