Syracuse Slighted By Pitt In Three

Sunday, November 2

Pittsburgh, PA

1 pm

Syracuse University

(8-15, 1-10ACC)

Pittsburgh

(19-4, 7-3ACC)

Syracuse

Pittsburgh

11/2/2014 8:16:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

The Orange fell just short in all three sets, threatening the Panthers 25-21, 25-23 and 27-25

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – The Orange came up just short in three sets against Pittsburgh. The Panthers (19-4, 7-3 ACC) managed to find points in dire situations in order to escape Syracuse (8-15, 1-10 ACC), 3-0 by scores of 25-21, 25-23 and 27-25.

Breaking Down The Orange

Silvi Uattara led the Orange attack but it was Lindsay McCabe and Monika Salkute who were the most effective for the Orange. Pitt positioned its players to make sure that if it was to lose, it wasn't because Uattara was able to dominate as she did the last time out against the Panthers.

Just a few weeks ago, Uattara had 21 kills against the Panthers. Today, facing as many as two, three blockers was able to throw down a team high 10 kills on the day but the Pitt defense was successful defending the outside threat, forcing eight hitting errors.

With the Pittsburgh's focus on Uattara, it opened the floor for McCabe and Salkute. Salkute had eight kills with a .368 hitting percentage while McCabe had six kills and hit .500. Stacey Smith and Gosia Wlaszczuk combined for seven kills with four credited to Smith. Wlaszczuk connected with hitters on 23 of Syracuse's 32 kills for assists.

The Panthers also struggled to score, due to strong defensive play by the Orange. Together the team combined for 16 team blocks with three Syracuse student-athletes credited six blocks or more. McCabe led the way on the net with seven block assists and a solo to her credit. Salkute and Leah Levert each had six on the day. Salkute had four block assists and made two solo while all of Levert's blocks were assisted.

Also contributing on the net was Smith, Wlaszczuk and Uattara. Smith led the three with four assisted blocks. Wlaszczuk recorded three and Uattara added two to her line.

Belle Sand once again played well in the back row as she was credited with 10 of Syracuse's 40 digs. Fellow defensive specialist, Melina Violas had seven in the match while outside hitters, Uattara and Salkute had nine and six digs respectively.

Inside The Match

The Panthers jumped out to a quick, 5-2 lead in the first set and wouldn't let the Orange within three points until Syracuse found itself down 18-12. Down and with the set about to slip away from them, 'Cuse cut the lead to one with a 7-2 run and eventually tied the set at 21 with a block by Uattara and Levert.

With the momentum on Syracuse's side, Pittsburgh called a timeout to come up with a game plan that led to the Panthers busting a 4-0 run out of the gate to take the first set, 25-21.

In the second, the Orange found itself in a hole once again as the two teams traded points until the Panthers built up a 20-12 lead. Refusing to go down without a fight, the Orange responded with a 7-2 run to pull within three with a 22-19 score.

Pittsburgh gave its rebuttal, picking up the next two points to present set point in the face of the Orange. However, 'Cuse once again fought back with four straight points to pull within one but a ball handling error in favor of Pitt awarded it the set, 25-23.

Set three was similar to the previous two, this time the teams traded points until Syracuse found itself trailing Pitt, 18-13. 'Cuse grabbed five of the next seven points to cut the deficit to two with the Panthers leading 20-18. Pitt responded, earning four of the next seven points to play for match point on the ensuing play.

'Cuse needed three points and that's exactly what it fought to get in order to tie the set at 24. Syracuse took the lead on the next play on a hitting error by the Panthers but Pitt was then able to win three straight points to take the set, 27-25 for its 19^th victory of the season.

Coming Home

The Orange finished a stretch of three matches on the road Sunday and now comes home to host Clemson and Duke this weekend. Syracuse takes on the Tigers at 7:00 PM Friday, November 7 in the Women's Building and will square off with Duke on Sunday, November 9 at 1:00 PM.