Syracuse University
University of Louisville
Volleyball Faces Tough Road Challenges
10/29/2009 8:48:31 PM | Volleyball
Weekly Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange embarks on its most challenging weekend of BIG EAST play to date as it visits Louisville on Friday, October 30 at 7 p.m. before facing off against Cincinnati on Sunday, November 1 at 2 p.m.
Orange on the Net
Both matches will be available via live stats while fans can also subscribe to watch live streaming video.
Louisville Live Stats | Watch Live
Cincinnati Live Stats | Watch Live
Last Time Out: Trouble in Wisconsin
The Orange dropped a pair of matches to Marquette, 3-1 and Green Bay, 3-1 in Wisconsin over the weekend.
Senior middle blocker Sarah Morton powered the offense both offensively and defensively, tallying 23 kills, four service aces and nine total blocks. Junior Hayley Todd continued to excel hitting from the outside, ranking second on the team with 22 kills while adding a pair of service aces and four total blocks. Defensively, outside hitter Noemie Lefebvre and senior defensive specialist Shanetha McLaurin posted 28 and 22 digs, respectively, while splitting time at libero.
Syracuse-Louisville Series
The Orange seeks its first victory against Louisville in the 27 year series history, as the Cardinals hold an 11-0 advantage in the all-time series. Louisville has spoiled Syracuse's BIG EAST Tournament trip in each of the last two seasons, most recently defeating the Orange, 3-0, in the first round on November 21, 2008.
Scouting the Cardinals
Louisville is 12-9 on the season and 5-3 in conference play entering Friday's match, having won three of its last five. Head coach Leonid Yelin is rejuvenating his squad after losing four starters from a year ago.
Freshman outside hitter Lola Arslanbekova has been the breakout player of the year for the Cardinals, leading the team with 317 kills and 16 service aces. Louisville runs a 6-2 formation with senior setter Kimi Hohl and senior outside hitter Justine Landi splitting the setting duties. Hohl has 475 assists on the season while Landi has dished out 343 helpers.
Defensively, junior defensive specialist Lindsey Mango sets the tone for the back row, collecting 269 digs on the season while senior middle blocker Lecia Brown has a team-best 108 blocks.
Syracuse-Cincinnati Series
Cincinnati holds a 4-2 edge in the all-time series with Syracuse which dates back to 1982. The 2008 match between the teams was a heartbreaker for the Orange, as it held a 14-9 lead in the fifth set before the Bearcats completed a nearly impossible comeback to take the set, 16-14 and the match, 3-2.
Scouting the Bearcats
Cincinnati sits at second in conference behind undefeated Notre Dame at 16-8 overall, 7-1 in the BIG EAST and rides a five-match win streak into the weekend. The Bearcats will host Marquette on Friday before entertaining the Orange on Sunday.
Junior outside hitter Stephanie Niemer powers the Cincinnati offense, leading the team with 385 kills, 993 attacks and 38 service aces. Junior setter Annie Fesl directs the attack in a 5-1 formation, dishing out 1,042 assists on the season.
Senior defensive specialist Jaime Frey paces the back row with 281 digs while freshman middle blocker Jordanne Scott has a team-best 83 rejections on the season.
