Cuse Drops Match To No. 2 Penn State, 3-0

Saturday, August 31

University Park, PA

11 a.m.

Syracuse University

0-2

Penn State

1-0

Team	1	2	3	Final F
Syracuse	16	15	17	0
Penn State	25	25	25	3

Junior Nicolette Serratore was all over the court on Saturday against Penn State, finishing with team-highs of six kills, seven digs and three blocks.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

8/31/2013 12:51:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Box Score | Season Statistics

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Syracuse (0-2) fell to the nationally ranked No. 2 Penn State Nittany Lions (1-0) in the second day of the Penn State Invitational in three sets (16-25, 15-25, 17-25) at Penn State's Rec Hall on Saturday, Aug. 31.

"We played much, much better today," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "The score doesn't say much, but if you look at the numbers you see Gosia (Wlaszczuk) and Candace (Timberlake) played outstanding. Candace played outstanding defensively."

"Penn State just swept a very good professional team from Poland. Until 12 points each game, it was an even game. They have four players that are 6-4 or 6-5, very physical size wise and experienced mentally from playing on national teams. Penn State is a very good team and I think it's definitely going to pay off playing them.Every game we were losing, we didn't quit. Which we didn't have in the past."

Outside hitters Nicolette Serratore and Silvi Uattara each paced the Orange with six kills, with Serratorre adding seven digs and three block assists. Freshman setter Erica Handley racked up 16 assists and sophomore Candace Timberlake finished with a game-high 11 digs.

Penn State was led by junior Micha Hancock, who tallied 30 assists, seven digs and five kills, while hitting at a clip of .556. Redshirt freshman Paulina Prieto Cerame had a game-high nine kills and senior Katie Slay led the Nittany Lion defense with five total blocks, including a pair of solo blocks.

After the Orange recorded the first point of the match, Penn State responded with four straight and never looked back. SU climbed back within two on multiple occasions and trailed 13-11 midway through the set. But the Nittany Lions scored eight of the next nine points and cruised to a 25-16 win in the first set, thanks to a team hitting percentage of .414.

Block assists by Serratore and Monika Salkute and a kill by Uattara opened the second set to give Syracuse a 2-0 lead. The Orange either held the lead or were tied until Penn State evened the game at 6-6. The Nittany Lions took their first lead of the set on the next play and didn't trail again. With SU down only 15-12, Penn State rattled of eight of nine points once again and finished off the set with an ace from Hancock for a 25-15 victory.

SU continued to be competitive into the third set, tying the game at 11-11 following a 6-2 run that was capped by kills from Salkute and Serratore. However, Penn State outscored the Orange 14-6 over the final 20 points to win the set 25-17 and clinch the match.

The Orange return to campus for their home opener in the Candlewood Suites Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6 and 7. On Friday, SU will take on the Stony Brook Seawolves at 2:30 p.m. and former BIG EAST-foe Rutgers Scarlet Knights at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, Syracuse's opponents will be the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at 2:30 p.m. and the Colorado Buffaloes at 7:30 p.m.