Syracuse Volleyball Splits On Opening Day

Friday, August 25

10 AM

Syracuse University

1-0

Siena

0-1

Siena

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

8/25/2017 10:15:00 PM | Volleyball

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women's volleyball team opened up the 2017 campaign with a straight set victory (25-19, 25-16, 25-15) over Siena (0-1) Friday morning in the Women's Building. The Orange (1-1) later dropped their nightcap to Grand Canyon (1-0) 3-1 (16-25, 29-27, 23-25, 22-25).

Syracuse 3, Siena 0
'Cuse came out strong in game one and surged past Siena. Kendra Lukacs had a match-high 11 kills and Amber Witherspoon contributed six kills and a match-leading seven blocks. Belle Sand recorded a game-high 15 digs and Annie Bozzo led Syracuse with 17 assists.

The Orange took an early 9-1 lead and maintained control for the remainder of the first set to come out on top, 25-19.

Syracuse had to overcome early deficits in the second and third sets. After trailing 9-5 in set two, the Orange went on a 16-3 scoring run and eventually won 25-16.

'Cuse trailed 5-2 early in set three, but retook an 8-7 lead and finished the set on a 12-4 run to win 25-15.

GCU 3, Syracuse 1
Syracuse out-blocked Grand Canyon 11-4, but Claire Kovensky's 18 kills helped lead the Lopes past the Orange in four sets. Santita Ebangwese and Ella Saada each had 13 kills and Jalissa Trotter recorded 35 assists for 'Cuse in the tightly contested match.

GCU scored five straight points in the first set to grab a 15-9 lead and the Lopes continued on to win 25-16.

Syracuse came back in the second set and won in exciting fashion, 29-27. The Orange took a timeout when trailing 24-23 and rallied behind a game-tying kill from Saada.

The team faced set point again, down 25-24, but Ebangwese answered with a kill of her own. Syracuse never trailed again before taking the set.

Grand Canyon pulled away late in the third and fourth sets and defeated Syracuse 25-23 and 25-22, respectively.

Coach's Thoughts
"We have to learn how to be able to do what we know we are capable of," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "We hoped to win all four games this weekend and now that the first day is said and done, we will look to recover tomorrow."

Back at it Tomorrow
The Orange compete in their final two matches of the Syracuse Tournament on Aug. 26. 'Cuse faces Niagara at 10 a.m. and Colgate at 8 p.m.

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