Syracuse University
21-11
Louisville
18-10
Season Ends at BIG EAST Championship
11/21/2009 12:15:05 AM | Volleyball
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The 2009 season came to a close for Syracuse volleyball on Friday night as the No. 5 Orange dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 4 Louisville in the first round of the BIG EAST Championship at the Kentucky International Convention Center.
Sophomore outside hitter Noemie Lefebvre led the Orange with 13 kills while junior middle blocker Hayley Todd had eight. Senior middle blocker Sarah Morton notched six kills while freshman middle blocker Samantha Hinz chipped in eight. Rookie setter Laura Homann directed the SU attack, dishing out 31 assists.
Defensively, senior libero Shanetha McLaurin set the tone for the back row collecting 12 digs while senior Kacie MacTavish posted six. Todd led the blocking effort with five rejections while Morton capped off the nation's best blocking season with four total blocks.
The match marked the last outing with the Orange for seniors Morton, MacTavish, McLaurin and Annabelle Pellerin, who leave the team with a strong legacy of success. The 2009 senior class propelled Syracuse to three-straight BIG EAST Championships for the first time since 1991-93 while tallying more than 20 wins for the eighth time in head coach Jing Pu's 15 seasons.
The two teams battled back and forth through the first set, with neither team taking a lead of more than three points through the first 40 points. Ahead, 22-20, the Cardinals scored the last three points to take the set, 25-20.
Louisville carried its momentum into the second set, taking a 2-0 lead with a 25-12 victory.
The Orange found its stride in the first set, going point-for-point with the Cardinals to a 24-24 tie, but the hosts find the final two points, advancing to the semifinals with a 26-24 victory.
Syracuse finishes the season at 21-11 overall and 9-5 in BIG EAST play.
