Orange Come From Behind, Earn First Conference Win

Sunday, September 29

Clemson, SC

1 pm

Syracuse University

4-5, 1-1ACC

Clemson

6-7, 0-2ACC

Syracuse

Clemson

Orange Come From Behind, Earn First Conference Win

9/29/2019 6:34:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – After losing two of the first three sets, Syracuse volleyball (4-5, 1-1 ACC) came from behind to capture its first Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) victory of the 2019 season over the Clemson Tigers, 3-2. The Orange took the first, fourth and fifth set by scores of 25-20, 25-17 and 17-15, respectively. Syracuse has now won seven consecutive matches over Clemson and holds a 9-3 all-time record against the Tigers.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange were ahead for the duration of the first set. A kill and an ace from Yuliia Yastrub, helped Syracuse build a 6-1 advantage. Clemson cut the deficit to two points, but the early cushion for the Orange proved to be insurmountable. 'Cuse put together a 7-2 scoring run, with Yastrub adding another ace, to take an 18-11 lead and eventually won the opening set, 25-20. Polina Shemanova led the Orange with seven kills, four digs and a service ace. The sophomore ended the match with 24 kills, tying her season-high.

The tables turned in the second set, as it was the Tigers who got off to a fast start, leading Syracuse 10-4. The Orange responded with a 6-2 run, but Clemson never lost control and ended up winning the set, 25-18, and evened the match at one. Junior Ella Saada collected five digs for Syracuse in the second stanza.

The third set was close throughout. A kill from Yastrub evened the score at 7, and neither team held a lead greater than two points for the remainder of the set. With the score tied at 24, an ace and a kill by the Tigers clinched the set, 26-24, and gave them a 2-1 advantage in the match. Saada contributed seven kills for the Orange and logged a .875 hitting percentage. She also had three digs in the frame.

Staring at another loss, Syracuse rose to the challenge in the fourth set, opening a quick 4-0 lead that grew to 9-3. Shemanova and Saada each added a pair of kills in that stretch. Orange attack errors allowed Clemson within three points, but a 9-5 run from 'Cuse put the set out of reach for the Tigers. The Orange ultimately took the set, 25-17, forcing a deciding fifth. Setter Elena Karakasi had eight assists in the fourth set and led Syracuse with 34 on the afternoon. Shemanova provided 10 of her 20 digs.

The final set was tightly contested. Once again neither side could grow a lead larger than two points, until the Orange won a coach's challenge and took a 10-7 lead. Saada and freshman Marina Markova each notched three kills in that span. With the score even at 15, Markova added another kill and Clemson committed an attack error to give Syracuse the victory. Markova finished the match with 17 kills.

NOTEWORTHY
Freshman middle blocker Izzy Plummer made her collegiate debut Sunday, starting for the Orange. The Fairport, N.Y. native recorded a kill, two block assists and two digs on the afternoon.

Saada's 21 kills were a career high. The junior also posted a season-high 17 digs. Classmate Dana Gardner tallied a career-best six blocks and freshman setter Lauren Woodford added 26 assists and nine digs, both career-highs.

Shemanova matched her career-high in digs with 20 against the Tigers. She also provided 20 digs in 2018 against Miami.

Head coach Leonid Yelin earned career victory No. 592 on Sunday, and is now only eight shy of 600 for his career.

BY THE NUMBERS
KILLS: Syracuse 72, Clemson 56
ACES: Syracuse 5, Clemson 6
BLOCKS: Syracuse 11, Clemson 8
ASSISTS: Syracuse 69, Clemson 50
DIGS: Syracuse 75, Clemson 68

WHAT'S NEXT
The Orange open up their home schedule this coming Friday, Oct. 4, when they host Wake Forest (10-3, 0-2 ACC) at the SU Women's Building. Admission and parking to the match are free. The match will be broadcast live on ACCNX.

For continued coverage of Syracuse Volleyball, follow us on Twitter (@CuseVB), Instagram (@cusevb) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Volleyball).