Syracuse Rallies Late In Loss At NC State

Friday, November 1

Raleigh, NC

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

13-10,1-10ACC

NC State

12-7,7-4ACC

Syracuse

NC State

11/1/2024 9:04:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Syracuse University volleyball team (13-10, 1-10 ACC) rallied late in the third set Friday night at NC State (12-7, 7-4 ACC) but could not overcome the Wolfpack in a 3-0 loss.

The Wolfpack, who are currently ranked No. 35 in the RPI, won the first two sets and led by as many as eight in the third. Syracuse chipped away at that deficit and pulled all the way back within one point late. However, the Orange's comeback effort fell just short as NC State held on for a straight-set win.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Syracuse won two of the first three points behind kills by Skylar George and Ava Palm, but NC State took six of the next seven to go ahead by four. A 5-0 Wolfpack run later in the frame moved them ahead 18-8. The Orange went on a 3-1 run soon after that included a Sydnie Waller kill and a block by George and Anastasiia Nikolnikova to get back within eight, but NC State held steady from there to win the opening set 25-14.

The Wolfpack continued their momentum into the second set, winning the first five points and nine of the first 10. Syracuse settled down and pulled to within five at 13-8 after a solo Nikolnikova rejection. However, NC State pulled away again and dropped just five more points in the set on the way to a 25-13 victory.

The Orange took an early 3-2 lead in the third after a Nikolnikova kill, but NC State answered by earning the next four points. A Palm termination brought 'Cuse back within one at 9-8 but the Wolfpack responded with a 7-0 run to go up by seven. NC State went ahead by as many as eight at 19-11 before Syracuse mounted a late comeback bid. Kills from Nikolnikova and George brought the Orange back within three and a Palm kill trimmed the NC State lead to just one at 20-19. The Wolfpack won the next two points before a George kill again pulled Syracuse within two. However, after a Syracuse attack error gave NC State a side out, the Wolfpack finished the set with back-to-back kills to win 25-20 and clinch the match.

NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

Skylar George came just one kill and one dig short of her fifth double-double of the season. The redshirt freshman's nine kills and nine digs were both team bests.
Ava Palm racked up seven kills and six digs and trailed just George in both categories.
Veronica Sierzant led the Orange with 14 assists, as the sophomore setter now has double-digit assists in nine straight conference matches. She also had two kills on two attempts and added three digs.
On a night where Syracuse led in blocks (8-7), Zharia Harris-Waddy was in on five of the rejections. It was her third time this season registering five or more blocks and the second in ACC play. Sydnie Waller (3) and Sierzant (2) also assisted on multiple blocks.

UP NEXT
Syracuse heads to Winston-Salem on Sunday for a 1 p.m. match against Wake Forest on ACCNX.

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