Volleyball Loses BIG EAST Opener to Louisville

Friday, September 22

Syracuse, N.Y.

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Louisville

Sophomore April Quigley recorded a match-high 37 assists.

9/22/2006 10:15:20 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse (3-14, 0-1 BIG EAST) battled for four matches with a tough Louisville team (7-5, 1-0 BIG EAST) but lost in the end 3-1 (30-20, 20-30, 30-21, 30-19) in the BIG East Opener for both teams.

“Anytime that you can take a game from Louisville, it is a good match,” said assistant coach Carol Munger. “They were top 10 last year. They lost some players but they are still top in the country. We’re a really young team so the girls hopefully built up their confidence and can play with a top-caliber team. Against Cincinnati, hopefully we will put a whole match together and come out with a win.”

Junior Cheryl Cobbina led the team with 15 kills and added nine digs. Freshman Kacie MacTavish added eight kills and 11 digs. Sophomore April Quigley recorded a match-high 37 assists and junior Joscie Kaup led the team with 18 digs. Freshman Shanetha McLaurin set a career-high with 10 digs and added two service aces. She led the Orange to the second-game win with her impressive serving.

“Shanethta McLaurin was really good tonight and it was only her fourth match,” Munger said. “She came in and didn’t miss a single serve and had some good quality serves that really gave them trouble. She also picked up some scrappy balls. She went in there and was really a positive player on the court for us today. It was very exciting to see that we have some depth on our bench and that anybody can come in and step up when we need them to.”

The first game was a close contest during the beginning of the game. Holding an 18-17 lead, Louisville ended the game on a 12-3 run to take a 1-0 advantage. Syracuse jumped to an early 10-3 lead in the second game and never looked back. McLaurin served the last six points of the game to lead the Orange to victory. Louisville started the third game strong, racing to an 18-9 lead, and was able to hold on for the nine-point victory. In the fourth game, Louisville once again started quickly, gaining a 13-4 advantage. The Cardinals’ lead grew to as many as 15 points and they closed out the game for the four-game victory.