Syracuse Swept By Clemson

Sunday, November 17

Clemson, SC

12 p.m.

Syracuse University

14-14,2-14ACC

Clemson

10-17,2-14ACC

Syracuse

Clemson

11/17/2024 2:18:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

CLEMSON, S.C. – Veronica Sierzant delivered her fifth double-double of the season and Ava Palm tallied 13 kills Sunday, but the Syracuse University volleyball team (14-14, 2-14 ACC) dropped a straight-set decision to Clemson (10-17, 2-14 ACC) at Jervey Gym.

The Orange played the Tigers to a tight third set but could not force a fourth. The victory was the second straight in ACC play for Clemson.

How It Happened
The teams traded points in the opening stages of the first set. Kills by Anastasiia Nikolnikova, Ava Palm and two from Sydnie Waller kept Syracuse within touch, as the Tigers got out to an early 6-5 advantage. However, Clemson won the next four points and took control of the frame from there on the way to a 25-14 victory.

Clemson took an early 4-1 lead in the second set before consecutive Tiger errors and a block by Nikolnikova and Veronica Sierzant tied the score. The Tigers then established a 6-5 lead before consecutive kills from Skylar George and Zharia Harris-Waddy put 'Cuse in front for the first time in the match. After Clemson evened the score, another Harris-Waddy kill made it 8-7 for the Orange, and a Sierzant termination two points later again gave Syracuse a 9-8 advantage. The Tigers responded with a 5-0 run to go up 13-9. Syracuse won three of the next four points to make it 14-12, but Clemson secured 11 of the set's final 13 points, finishing on an 8-0 flurry to win 25-14.

The third set was Syracuse's best of the match. The Orange claimed a 3-1 lead after a block and Palm kill broke a 1-1 tie. A Waller kill gave 'Cuse a three-point lead at 8-5, which the Orange matched at 9-6. The Tigers answered with three of the next four points to knot the score at 10-10. Syracuse re-established its three-point margin at 14-11 following a Palm kill, a Clemson error and a Sierzant ace, but the Tigers responded soon after with a 6-1 scoring stretch to vault ahead, 18-16. A pair of Palm kills tied the score, and Syracuse retook the lead at 20-19 behind a solo Nikolnikova rejection and a bad set by the Tigers. However, Clemson won the next four points to make the score 23-20. Two more Palm kills brought the Orange back within one, but two kills in three points by Clemson's Azyah Dailey closed out a 25-23 victory to seal the sweep.

Notes & Highlights

Veronica Sierzant did it all for the Orange on Sunday, leading the team with 28 assists to go along with 10 digs. The sophomore setter also matched her season high with four kills and added four blocks.
Ava Palm paced Syracuse with 13 kills, eight of which came in the third set. It was the graduate student's 19^th match this season reaching double-digit kills and the ninth in ACC play.
For the eighth time on the campaign, Greta Schlichter reached double-digit digs, as her 11 led the Orange on Sunday.
Anastasiia Nikolnikova put down five blocks to lead Syracuse. She also finished with five kills.
Sydnie Waller matched Nikolnikova for second on the team with five kills. She hit at a .214 clip on 14 swings, marking her second straight match hitting over .200.
Syracuse had eight blocks as a team, extending its streak of consecutive matches with at least five blocks in conference play to three straight.

Up Next
Syracuse will host Boston College on Nov. 20 for its Senior Day at the Women's Building. The contest will begin at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ACCNX. The Senior Day ceremony will be held after the conclusion of the match.

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