Syracuse University
19-10, 8-5
Notre Dame University
18-4, 12-0
Orange Loses Hard Fought Battle with Notre Dame, 3-1
11/8/2009 5:04:38 PM | Volleyball
Box Score
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange (19-10, 8-5) threatened to end league-leading Notre Dame's conference unbeaten streak, but the Irish (18-4, 12-0) escaped with a narrow, 3-1, victory on Sunday afternoon at Manley Field House.
Sophomore outside hitter Erin Little led the Orange offense with 11 kills while senior middle blocker Sarah Morton chipped in 10. Senior outside hitter Annabelle Pellerin logged seven kills while single-handedly bringing Syracuse back within striking distance in the deciding set. Freshman setter Laura Homann directed the SU attack, dishing out 36 assists while adding a pair of kills.
Senior libero Shanetha McLaurin led the back row defense, collecting a match-best 21 digs, her fifth 20-plus dig performance this season. Senior outside hitter Kacie MacTavish was second on the team with 12 digs while junior defensive specialist Sarah Hayes added nine.
The Orange dominated the Irish on the net, holding a 17.0-11.0 advantage in blocks, including an 8.0-1.0 blocking edge in the first set. Morton maintained her billing as the nation's best blocker, with 12 total rejections while junior middle blocker Hayley Todd and Homann each had five total blocks.
Syracuse came out strong in the first set, using a quick three-point run to gain a 3-1 edge it would never relinquish. The Orange dominated Notre Dame throughout the entirety of the set, restricting the Irish to a -.111 team hitting percentage en route to a decisive, 25-15 first-set victory.
Notre Dame found its stride in the second set, as the two teams battled back-and-forth trading points to a 21-21 tie. The Irish claimed the last four points of the set, winning, 25-21 and evening the match 1-1.
The second-set victory swung momentum in Notre Dame's favor as it took a 2-1 lead with a 25-17 third-set win.
The Irish continued its push into the fourth set, jumping out to a quick 21-10 lead before Pellerin entered the game and revived the Orange. The Frankford, Ontario native put six-straight kills to the floor which, coupled with a pair of Irish miscues, cut the deficit, 21-18. Despite the comeback, Notre Dame was able to find the four points it needed, taking the set 25-19 and the match, 3-1.
The Orange breaks from BIG EAST action as it visits in-state foe Binghamton on Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m. before wrapping up its regular-season schedule against Villanova on Friday, November 13 at 7 p.m. in Manley Field House.
