Volleyball Splits in Second Day of Wichita State Tournament

Saturday, August 26

Wichita, Kan.

7:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

Wichita State

Sophomore April Quigley set career-highs in assists, digs and block assists in SU's victory over Louisiana Tech.

Volleyball Splits in Second Day of Wichita State Tournament

8/26/2006 11:28:03 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Louisiana Tech Box Score

Wichita State Box Score

Wichita, Kan. – Syracuse split a pair of matches at the 2006 Best Western Volleyball Classic, hosted by Wichita State. The Orange won its first match of the season, defeating Louisiana Tech 3-0 (30-28, 30-20, 35-33) and lost to the host Shockers 3-0 (30-15, 30-14, 30-20).

"It has been a great learning experience for our freshmen and sophomore classes," said head coach Jing Pu. "We improved so much during the first weekend and played together as a new team. We look forward to playing better down the road."

Junior Joscie Kaup recorded 31 digs on the day, raising her career total to 1,035. She passed Aimee Mask for eighth all-time in school history. Mask registered 1,011 digs from 1989 to 1992.

Against Louisiana Tech, junior Cheryl Cobbina posted her second-straight double-double, recording 15 kills and 13 digs. Sophomore April Quigley set career-highs with 35 assists, 12 digs and six block assists. She also matched her personal-best with three kills. Kaup recorded 13 digs.

"We really tasted the intensity of a college game with our new players for the first time," Pu said. "It's a great win."

The Lady Techsters quickly jumped to an early 6-1 lead in the first game. Syracuse responded by scoring 14 of the game’s next 17 points. Louisiana Tech would fight back and take the lead at 28-27 only to see the Orange close out the game by winning the last three points.

With the second game knotted at seven, SU would rally off five-straight points and never look back to take a two-game advantage. In the third game, Louisiana Tech jumped out to a quick start and would lead by as many as five points. Syracuse would rally and eventually take the lead at 30-29. Both teams had chances to win the game before a Louisiana Tech attack error gave SU the game and match.

Against Wichita State, Cobbina once again registered a double-double, leading the team with 10 kills and adding 13 digs. Kaup recorded a team-high 18 digs and Quigley led the team with 21 assists in addition to eight digs.

"Wichita State is a much better team in this tournament," Pu said. "Our passing quality and blocking success were not solid enough to stop their strong offense."

Syracuse returns to action on Friday, September 1, hosting the Big Orange Tournament. Syracuse will square-off against Kentucky, Siena, San Diego State and New Hampshire during the two-day tournament.