Morton in the Middle Leads Orange to Victory in Five-Game Thriller

Friday, September 7

Manley Field House

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Princeton

Sophomore Sarah Morton (above) led the Syracuse charge with a career-best 21 kills and seven total blocks in a 3-2 win against Princeton.

Morton in the Middle Leads Orange to Victory in Five-Game Thriller

9/7/2007 10:14:45 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Box Score

SYRACUSE, NY – Sophomore Sarah Morton coupled a career-best 21 kills with a team-high seven total blocks as the Orange closed out day one of the Big Orange Tournament with a thrilling 3-2 come-from-behind win against Princeton Friday night at Manley Field House.

“Sarah had a tough job tonight with what Princeton could do hitting the ball, but she hung in there and never gave up on blocking,” said second-year assistant coach Carol LaMarche. “Sarah is really becoming a player that we can count on.”

Morton’s offensive efforts were complimented by the 19 kills, 13 digs double-double from sophomore Kacie MacTavish. Senior Cheryl Cobbina collected 12 kills while redshirt-freshman April Quigley totaled a team-high 44 assists. Senior Joscie Kaup, the reigning BIG EAST Player of the Week, paced the Orange defense with a club-best 20 digs.

After briefly leading the fifth frame 2-1, Syracuse trailed until claiming a 14-13 lead, an advantage the Orange would never relinquish. With the Orange leading by one and looking to close out the Tigers, Morton put the icing on the cake with a match-winning kill. Syracuse received a combined six kills from the freshmen tandem of Mindy Stanislovaitis and Hayley Todd in the decisive game.

“A win like this one shows team maturity and mental toughness,” said LaMarche. “After losing the fourth game like we did, we never gave up. Tonight says a lot about this team.”

Before losing game four 30-25, the Orange took a one-game advantage and put the Tigers’ back against the wall following a 30-24 win in game three. MacTavish led the Orange attack with four kills while Morton and Cobbina each tallied three. Quigley guided SU to a crucial win with 10 assists.

After losing a close game one 30-27, Syracuse evened the match at a game apiece following a dramatic 31-29 triumph in game two. Morton led the Orange charges with a team-high six kills while Cobbina and MacTavish each added three.

Defensively, Syracuse (5-4) couldn’t have been any better after collecting 63 digs and a season-high 25 total blocks. Quigley and freshman Sarah Hayes each collected seven digs. Todd tallied six total blocks and MacTavish added four.

In the night’s first match, Texas Tech posted a 3-0 win against Fordham.

The Big Orange Tournament continues Saturday with Princeton and Texas Tech meeting at 10:00 a.m. Syracuse hits the hardwood at 12:30 p.m. against Fordham. The night session commences at 4:30 p.m. with Fordham and Princeton before the Orange and Red Raiders close out the tournament at 7:00 p.m.