Morton Paces Orange Defense Against Ohio

Saturday, September 13

Manley Field House

7:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

Ohio

9/13/2008 10:53:07 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Boxscore

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior Sarah Morton tallied eight total blocks and 11 kills in tonight’s match against the Ohio Bobcats. The Orange trailed 2-0 before winning the third set, but were not able to take control of set four and Ohio closed out the match, 3-1.

Offensively, senior April Quigley and freshman Hallie Morse both contributed 22 assists. Freshman Noemie Lefebvre posted 11 kills, while junior Kacie MacTavish registered 10.

MacTavish also led the Orange on defense with 15 kills and six block assists. Junior Shanetha McLaurin was second on the team with 14 digs.

Syracuse controlled the first set, developing a five-point lead, until midway through the frame when the Bobcats were able to tie the score, 15-15. The Orange attempted to break the momentum of the Bobcats, but Ohio recorded six kills and won set one, 25-19.

Set two proved to be a back and forth affair for the two teams with neither team establishing a substantial lead. A kill by MacTavish tied the score 18-18, before the Bobcats added three more kills to take the lead, 21-18. Syracuse took a timeout and was able to add two points, bringing the score to 21-20. The Bobcats fought back in an effort to maintain control, but the Orange again tied it up, 23-23. Neither team could grab the two-point lead to take the set until two-straight Bobcat kills close set two, 28-26.

The Orange dominated set three from the start and added 14 kills to its evening total of 50. By midway through, the Orange had developed a five-point lead, which they did not relinquish. The Bobcats were able to gain some ground, but it wasn’t enough to overtake the Orange who won the set, 25-21.

The Bobcats were able to get on the board first in set two, but Syracuse wasn’t far behind. By the time the set was about midway through, the score had tied nine different times but the Orange had only turned over the lead twice. The set was a fight to the finish. With the score tied again at 22-22, three Bobcat kills would seal the set and the match for Ohio.

The Big Orange Tournament concludes tomorrow morning with a match between the Orange and the Black Knights of Army at 11 a.m. Following the conclusion of the tournament, the Orange will meet the Akron Zips at 3 p.m. in Manley Field House.