'Cuse Downs Auburn in Five Sets

Friday, September 4

Auburn, AL

8:00 PM

Syracuse University

4-0

Auburn

4-1

Syracuse

Auburn

9/5/2015 12:25:00 AM | Volleyball

Box Score

Orange improve to 4-0 on the season.

In a knock-down, drag-out battle between the ACC and the SEC, Syracuse defeated Auburn in five sets Friday night in Auburn, Ala., handing the Tigers its first loss of the season.

After the Tigers took the first set 25-23, Syracuse won the second and third sets 25-22 and 25-21. Auburn then stole the fourth set 25-23 to take the match to a fifth set. The Orange pushed their way to victory after almost two and a half hours of play, defeating the Tigers in the final set, 15-8.

Senior standout Silvi Uattara powered the Orange offense with 20 kills on the night, while sophomore libero Belle Sand led the Syracuse back row with 21 digs. Senior setter Gosia Wlaszczuk fueled the hitters in the win, posting 32 assists.

Redshirt senior Nicolette Serratore recorded her second double-double of the season, totaling 13 kills and 18 digs.

After a strong start in the opening points for the Orange, the Tigers began a steady comeback midway through the first set. Going neck and neck for the rest of the match, a few unforced errors by Syracuse paved the way for Auburn to win the first set, 25-23.

Continuing the back-and-forth style of play well into the second set, Syracuse changed the pace of the match, going on a 10-2 run to put the Orange up 20-12. Auburn attempted a mini-comeback, but a kill by senior middle blocker Monika Salkute capped off the set, 25-22.

The Orange showed bursts of energy throughout the third set, leading for most of the set and racking up a 21-13 score before another comeback attempt by the Tigers. A service error by Auburn ensured a Syracuse victory, winning 25-21.

In the fourth set, the two teams resumed the back-and-forth flow of the match. The set was ultimately determined by a few key aggressive plays by Auburn at the end, as the Tigers came out on top 25-23. The tough loss in the fourth set didn't slow Syracuse down, as the Orange pulled through and remained assertive on offense to finish the game. A service ace by Serratore and a kill by Salkute determined the last two points of the game and solidified the win, 15-8.

Sophomore middle blocker Leah Levert continued to shine at the net, totaling six blocks on the night, while Salkute added four.

The freshmen setter duo of Jalissa Trotter and Annie Bozzo saw action in the five-set victory as well. Trotter finished with 11 assists and racked up 14 digs, the third highest on the team. Bozzo added four assists and three digs.

The Orange continue their stay in SEC Country, taking on Georgia Sunday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. in Athens, Ga.