Syracuse University
13-5, 3-1
Seton Hall University
8-12, 2-2
Orange Wins Heated Battle
10/4/2009 5:27:54 PM | Volleyball
Box Score
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange (13-5, 3-1) battled back from a one set deficit to a 3-1 victory against Seton Hall (8-12, 2-2) on Sunday afternoon to remain an undefeated 6-0 at home on the season. Senior middle blocker Sarah Morton, the national leader in total blocks, added another accolade to her list, tying the SU career record for solo blocks with 193.
Morton had six total blocks, including four solo against the Pirates to match the SU record set by Jessica Paarlberg (1988-91). The senior co-captain already owns the SU career record in blocks per set (1.31) and single-season solo blocks (72 in 2007) and is 15 blocks away from setting the standard for career total blocks (572).
“It was a back-and-forth battle between two strong teams,” head coach Jing Pu said of the match. “We improved throughout the course of the match and were able to get the win.”
Another all-around effort helped propel the Orange to victory, with numerous players filling multiple positions and seven different players posting kills. Senior outside hitter Kacie MacTavish set the tone for a well-balanced offense, recording a season-high 17 kills. Morton was second on the team with 14 kills while senior outside hitter Annabelle Pellerin added nine. Rookie setter Laura Homann directed the Orange attack with 48 assists, while also collecting nine digs and an assisted block.
Freshman middle blocker Samantha Hinz had a breakout game for SU, posting a career-high seven kills while leading the team with a .429 attack percentage and seven total blocks. Senior libero Shanetha McLaurin led the back row defense with a match-best 18 digs while MacTavish logged 15 for her team-best 11th double-double of the season.
“It was the first time this season where all our players were ready to step on the court and play,” Pu said. “We had three or more different options for our lineup and this was the first time all three freshmen stepped in and had an important contribution.”
The two teams traded points to open the first set, tying at seven before Seton Hall separated itself with a two-point swing. The Pirates used the advantage to stay out in front of the Orange by a point through the remainder of the set, doing just enough to secure a 25-23 victory.
The back-and-forth play intensified in the second set, with the two teams tying on 21 separate occasions and exchanging the lead 11 times. Trailing, 24-23, the Orange called a timeout and came on strong out of the huddle. Pellerin knotted the score at 24 with a kill and teamed up with Hinz on an assisted block to give SU a 25-24 advantage. A Seton Hall timeout ensued before a quick kill by Tricia Meyers tied the game again at 25. A Pirate attack error made it match point Syracuse and a solo block by Pellerin sealed the 27-25 victory and tied the match.
Syracuse carried its momentum into the third set, opening with a 4-1 run and staying out ahead until the Pirates tied the match, 15-15. The teams traded points to an 18-18 deadlock, before the Orange put together a 7-2 run to take the set, 25-20.
The fourth set began with the two teams trading points to a 4-4 tie, before a three-point run gave the Orange a lead it maintained until the Pirates knotted the game again at 18. Back-and-forth play resulted before Syracuse scored the last three points of the match to seal the 3-1 victory with a 25-22 fourth-set win.
The Orange takes a break from league action, returning to the court at Manley Field House on Tuesday, Oct. 6 to host Colgate at 7 p.m.
