SU Women’s Volleyball Falls to Pittsburgh

By Lindsey Horsting

SYRACUSE N.Y. – Syracuse University's Volleyball Team made the first set look easy, but Pittsburgh came back to take the final three sets and win the match Friday night at the SU Women's Building.  The Orange struggled in the last three sets with mental mistakes – one step late for a dig or a hit - Syracuse head coach Leonid Yelin said.

“We didn’t have all the time six players staying and stick to the game plan, and be focused and do what they have to do,” he said.  “That’s why the first game it looks like a different team.”

It was a disappointing loss because the Panthers didn’t change their game; Syracuse just didn’t play with the same presence it had in the first game, Yelin said.

Orange Strong Start but Inconsistent

Syracuse (12-5) led the entire first set against Pittsburgh (13-3) winning 25-16  The Orange had nine kills and three blocks in the first set.

The momentum shifted in the second set as the Panthers took a 9-7 lead and went on to win 25-20. They then won the third set by the same score.

In the fourth set the Orange and Panthers played point for point to 17-17.  Orange red shirt senior outside hitter Nicolette Serratore served an ace and senior outside hitter Silvi Uattara placed a hit nicely to pull ahead 19-17. But it wasn’t enough and Pittsburgh took the fourth game 25-21.

A test for the Orange was Pittsburgh’s Kadi Kullerkann who finished the evening with 22 kills, high among all players.  Syracuse only tallied 9.5 blocks against the Panthers.  It was a challenge defending Pittsburgh hitters and being mindful that the set is coming for Kullerkann, freshman middle blocker Santita Ebangwese said.

“Sometimes when you’re sprinting to close the block…there’s a couple times when I didn’t make it and she had a clear hole to kill it,” Ebangwese said.

Orange Leaders

Uattara had 12 kills, and Ebangwese had 10 kills on 14 attack attempts (.714).

“That’s pretty good,” Yelin chuckled.

Senior setter Gosia Wlaszczuk had 40 assists.

Showing Support

The Orange played its first home game of October against Pittsburgh after being on a three game road series.  The team wore hot pink socks in support of October’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Fans showed their support of the cause wearing pink clothing and pink Syracuse armbands.

The Syracuse band filled half of the balcony in the Women’s Building to cheer on the Orange. 

Up Next

The Orange hosts Virginia Tech Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Women’s Building.