Volleyball Drops Season Opener to No. 17 Baylor

Thursday, September 5

Madison, WI

5 pm

Syracuse University

0-1

Baylor

4-0

Syracuse

Baylor

9/5/2019 8:05:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

MADISON, Wis. – The Syracuse volleyball team lost its season opener against No. 17 Baylor Thursday evening at the HotelRED Invitational. The Orange lost in three sets, 25-15, 25-11 and 25-23 and return to action Saturday against No.11 Marquette at 1:30p.m.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bears took control of the first set, jumping out to a 15-6 lead. An energizing kill from freshman Marina Markova brought the Orange within seven, 22-15, but Baylor closed the set out with three straight points to secure the victory, 25-15.

Syracuse started strong in the second set. A service ace from junior Yuliia Yastrub knotted the score at four in the early going. The Bears followed that with a four-point run and the Orange were unable to overcome, surrendering the set, 25-11.

The third set was a different story for 'Cuse. Every player on the floor contributed and pushed Baylor back on its heels. Captain Polina Shemanova led the way with five kills in the set and a total of 10 for the match.

The Orange put together a four-point run to take an early 8-5 lead. The Bears evened the score at eight and from there it was a back-and-forth battle. A kill by Markova gave Syracuse a 20-16 lead, but it was quickly erased with a six-point Baylor run to give the Bears a 22-20 lead. Baylor held off a late Syracuse push to complete the sweep winning the third set, 25-23.

NOTEWORTHY
Shemanova led the Orange in kills (10) and digs (13). Sophomore setter Elena Karakasi contributed 19 assists. Viktoriia Lokhmanchuk, Lauren Woodford, Abigail Casiano and Markova all made their intercollegiate debuts. Markova added eight kills.

WHAT'S NEXT
The Orange will travel 80 miles east to take on their second ranked opponent in as many games when they face #11 Marquette on Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

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