Orange Defeat New Hampshire, Morton Garners All-Tournament Accolades

Saturday, September 6

Newark, Del.

1:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

Delaware

Orange Defeat New Hampshire, Morton Garners All-Tournament Accolades

9/25/2008 8:47:12 AM | Volleyball

Box Score

Newark, Del. – The Syracuse University volleyball team wrapped up its weekend at the Delaware Invitational today defeating the Wildcats of New Hampshire, 3-0. Junior Sarah Morton captured all-tournament honors after tallying 29 kills at the end of the three matches.

“Everything came together today,” said assistant coach Carol LaMarche. “We had lots of fun and we were confident. We knew we could win and we did.”

Against the Wildcats, Morton and junior Kacie MacTavish each contributed 10 kills and senior April Quigley tallied 30 assists. Quigley now ranks fifth on the Syracuse career assists list with 2,731, surpassing Tina Grasselli (’94) who had 2,711.

The Orange had an excellent defensive performance against the Wildcats. Senior Brittany Kern, Quigley and Morton each posted four block assists. The Orange out-blocked the Wildcats tallying nine blocks to their three.

The first set was a back and forth effort throughout with neither team able to establish a strong lead. The lead exchanged hands six times during the set. A kill by Morton and an attack error by the Wildcats secured set one for the Orange, 25-23.

Set two was much of the same but the Orange was able to pull away from the Wildcats halfway through, taking a four-point lead. The Wildcats, however, did not let the Orange off easy and were able to capitalize on a number of Orange errors to tie the score, 22-22. A service error by the Wildcats and a kill by MacTavish gave the Orange a two-point lead. The Wildcats fired back with a kill of their own, but Quigley sealed set two with a kill, 25-23.

The Orange took an early lead in set three and led 13-10 about midway through. The Wildcats cut Syracuse’s momentum and posted six-straight points, taking the lead 16-13. The Orange fought back and Morton tied the set, 18-18, with a kill. From there, the Orange took control and a block by Morton and sophomore Mindy Stanislovaitis closed the match for the Orange, 25-21.

The day did not start out as planned for the Orange as they faced the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens at 1 p.m. Despite hanging with Delaware during all three sets, the Orange could not pull out the win and Delaware took the match, 3-0.

Offensively, Morton led the Orange in kills with 11, while Lefebvre tallied eight and MacTavish posted five. Quigley contributed 20 assists.

Senior Marissa Kanemura posted 13 digs and freshman Erin Little was second with 10 on the defensive side of the ball. Morton had two block assists, while Quigley and Little each contributed one block assist each.

The Orange return home this week to host Binghamton Tuesday, September 9 at 7 p.m. Following Tuesday’s match, Syracuse will welcome Army, Siena, Northeastern and Ohio to Manley Field House for the Big Orange Tournament. Action begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. with Siena facing Ohio.