Orange Unable to Outlast No. 25 Marquette

Sunday, September 9

Milwaukee, WI

1 pm

Syracuse University

2-3

Marquette University

7-2

Syracuse

Marquette

9/9/2018 4:32:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. – The Syracuse volleyball team concluded action at the Marquette Invitational Sunday afternoon falling to No. 25 Marquette. The Orange fell 3-1 by set scores of 17-25, 25-19, 23-25 and 15-25.

HOW IT HAPPENED
After dropping a tough first set, the Orange used a 7-3 run early in the second set to take an 8-5 lead. Three consecutive Syracuse errors allowed Marquette a chance to tie the match at 8-8. Several long rallies followed extending the set and keeping both teams tied up to 16-16. Three consecutive points from Syracuse attached with a 7-2 run gave them the lead and enough distance for a strong second set victory. The Orange forced 14 errors by Marquette in the second set and held them to a 0.69 hitting percentage.

In a third set that featured 12 ties and six lead changes, Syracuse continued to take advantage of Marquette's errors to open the set. After a quick 5-2 lead, Syracuse stayed in control until three back-to-back kills put the Golden Eagles ahead for the first time in the set at 12-11. Marquette held onto the narrow lead to clinch the third set victory.

Both teams opened set four matching each other point-for-point with neither team garnering larger than a two point lead. Marquette used back-to-back kills to take the momentum and jump out to a 23-13 lead with a 9-2 run that the Orange were unable to overcome.

OF NOTE
The Orange recorded more kills (54) and assists (52) than Marquette, who entered this weekend second in the country in both categories.

For her second-straight game, freshman Polina Shemanova recorded 20 kills with a .390 hitting percentage. Santita Ebangwese joined her in double-digits with 10. Ebangwese's six blocks were a game-high while Elena Karakasi also led both teams with 39 assists.

COACH'S WORDS
"We definitely see an improvement in our team and the level we can compete at," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "With the level of the teams we were playing this weekend we can see we just have to keep improving."

WHAT'S NEXT
The Orange will conclude their tournament schedule next weekend at the Cyclone Classic in Ames, Iowa Sept. 14-16. The team is set to take on Wyoming, Iowa and Iowa State before opening ACC play at home Sept. 21 against Georgia Tech.