Sand Posts Match-High in NIVC Quarterfinals

Monday, December 4

Morgantown, WV

6 PM

Syracuse University

22-14, 12-8

West Virginia

21-12, 6-10

Syracuse

West Virginia

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

12/4/2017 7:52:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score 'Cuse vs. West Virginia Box Score PDF

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Senior Belle Sand posted a match-high 16 digs for the Syracuse women's volleyball team in a 3-0 (22-25, 22-25, 18-25) loss to West Virginia in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) quarterfinals Monday night. The Mountaineers improve to 21-12 with the win. The Orange finish the season 22-14.

Amber Witherspoon and Mariia Levanova led Syracuse with eight kills each. Jalissa Trotter tied for a match-high 24 assists and Witherspoon added a match-leading six blocks.

Payton Carey led WVU with a match-high 19 kills. Erin Slinde posted 24 assists and Lindsay Proctor added 14 digs.

How It Was Decided
With the first set tied at 15, Syracuse went on a 6-1 run. Two kills from Ella Saada, two Orange blocks and two additional West Virginia attack errors helped accumulate a 21-16 advantage. The Mountaineers closed the set on a 9-1 run to win the first set 25-22.

A kill by Levanova evened up the second set at 14. WVU answered with 3 unanswered points to regain the lead. West Virginia held off a late push by the Orange to take the set 25-22. Trotter and Sand combined for 13 digs.

With Syracuse clinging to a 14-12 lead in set number three, the Mountaineers answered with a 6-1 run to go ahead. West Virginia continued to pull away in the set and concluded the match on a 7-1 run.

Coach's Thoughts
"I have to give West Virginia credit," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "We were leading in every game but a lack of concentration on our end hurt us. West Virginia was so loose playing at home."

"There's a lot to look forward to next year. I was very impressed with how Mariia (Levanova) played today. She probably was the best hitter on the floor, she was smart and strong. Anastasiya (Gorelina) will continue to get healthy too and Yuliia (Yastrub) will finally get an opportunity to play. There will be a very high level of competition next year."

Of Note
After posting seven wins in the 2016 campaign, the Orange surpassed that mark by 15 wins in the 2017 slate. In fact, the total improvement of wins is the highest mark in program history. Syracuse will not have Sand on the court in 2018, but the volleyball squad has the potential to return 13 players.

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