Sunday, September 19
Starkville, MS
12:00 pm (11:00 am CDT)
Syracuse University
11-1,0-0ACC
3
vs
1
South Alabama
7-5,0-0Sun Belt
1
2
3
4
F
Syracuse
25
22
25
25
3
South Alabama
19
25
15
17
1
Orange Win Hail State Invitational
9/19/2021 3:28:00 PM | Volleyball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange won the Hail State Invitational with a four-set victory over South Alabama on Sunday. The Orange (11-1 overall) recorded 64 kills and a hitting percentage of .398. Senior Polina Shemanova earned tournament MVP and junior Elena Karakasi was named to the al-tournament team.
"I saw a tired team today," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "We have been on the road so long, switching rotations, some players healthy, some not, I am very proud of this team. They have been through a lot and continue to perform. Polina has been everything we needed; serves, defense, kills, we can always rely on her. I am happy Elena was recognized. So often setters are overlooked. She played today without a voice, just using sign language, and was still so commanding of the team. This team makes me very proud."
The Orange took the first set 25-19. Shemanova recorded seven kills in the set. The Jaguars won set two 25-22 after six tie scores and three lead changes. Syracuse dominated set three, going on at least a 3-0 scoring run on four occasions for a 25-15. In the fourth, the Orange recorded a hitting percentage of .533 and sealed the victory with a 25-17 win.
Of Note:
Up Next:
Syracuse begins conference play at Boston College on Wednesday, September 22 at 8 p.m. The match will be televised on ACCN.
For all of the latest information on Syracuse volleyball, follow us on Facebook (CuseVB), Twitter (@CuseVB), and Instagram (@cusevb).
"I saw a tired team today," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "We have been on the road so long, switching rotations, some players healthy, some not, I am very proud of this team. They have been through a lot and continue to perform. Polina has been everything we needed; serves, defense, kills, we can always rely on her. I am happy Elena was recognized. So often setters are overlooked. She played today without a voice, just using sign language, and was still so commanding of the team. This team makes me very proud."
The Orange took the first set 25-19. Shemanova recorded seven kills in the set. The Jaguars won set two 25-22 after six tie scores and three lead changes. Syracuse dominated set three, going on at least a 3-0 scoring run on four occasions for a 25-15. In the fourth, the Orange recorded a hitting percentage of .533 and sealed the victory with a 25-17 win.
Of Note:
- The Orange's 64 kills are a season-high in four sets, and the team's .398 hitting percentage is ties for third in the Syracuse record book for a hitting percentage in four-set matches.
- Sophomore Naomi Franco had a career day with 12 kills on 21 attempts for a .524 hitting percentage.
- Shemanova recorded 45 kills, seven service aces, and seven blocks in all three tournament matches.
- Karakasi posted 134 assists in three matches, including a season-high 48 versus South Alabama.
Up Next:
Syracuse begins conference play at Boston College on Wednesday, September 22 at 8 p.m. The match will be televised on ACCN.
For all of the latest information on Syracuse volleyball, follow us on Facebook (CuseVB), Twitter (@CuseVB), and Instagram (@cusevb).
Team Stats
Syr
USA
Kills
64
50
Errors
13
20
Attempts
128
133
Hitting %
.398
.226
Points
77
56
Assists
61
49
Aces
5
2
Blocks
8
4
Game Leaders
Kills-Aces-Blocks
Kills
19
Aces
1
Blocks
1
Kills
17
Aces
1
Blocks
3
Kills
12
Aces
1
Blocks
0
Kills
8
Aces
1
Blocks
4
Players Mentioned
Marie Laurio and Soana Lea'ea Press Conference | 9.16.25
Tuesday, September 16
Head Volleyball Coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam Weekly Press Conference | 9.16.25
Tuesday, September 16
Volleyball Highlights vs Colgate | 9.13.25
Sunday, September 14
Syracuse Volleyball
Saturday, September 13
