Smith Breaks Through In Clemson Loss

Friday, November 7

Syracuse, NY

7 pm

Syracuse University

8-16, 1-11ACC

Clemson

17-9, 5-7ACC

Clemson

Syracuse

11/7/2014 10:06:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Stacey Smith turned in her best performance of the season in the Orange’s tight contest with Clemson

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – After taking the first set 25-23, the Orange (8-16, 1-11 ACC) fell to Clemson (17-9, 5-7 ACC) in three straight to drop the match, 3-1. Stacey Smith had a breakthrough performance, powering the 'Cuse offense with her best performance of 2014.

Effort Never In Question

Coach Yelin made a point of saying how proud he is of his team's resilience despite Syracuse's record in Friday night's press conference following the match.

Through injuries, expanded roles and position changes, Syracuse's never quit, never say die attitude has been what has kept the Syracuse volleyball team in the fight every match this season.

Friday was no exception. Smith, switching back-and-forth, hitting from the right and the left sides for the first time in her career in her first season with Syracuse turned in her best performance of the season. The Eden, N.Y., native logged a season best 11 kills and was in on two blocks as well. She was tied for the second most kills on the team with Monika Salkute who had a block assist to her credit as well.

Leading Syracuse with 12 kills was Silvi Uattara. The outside hitter recorded three block assists and was targeted heavily by opposing hitters, leading to her 14 digs.

Gosia Wlaszczuk and Lindsay McCabe stepped up for Syracuse, factoring in more ways than one efficiently and effectively. McCabe logged eight kills and eight block assists on the evening and Wlaszczuk was all over the court finding hitters for 37 assists to go along with her six kills, six digs and four block assists.

Leah Levert contributed on both ends of the Orange as well with three blocks, one of which solo and two kills.

The back row was manned by Belle Sand, Melina Violas and Alyssa Anderson with Sand leading the way. The freshman starting libero picked up a career best, team leading 16 digs on the night. Anderson also had a career best eight digs in the match while Violas finished with 10.

Fighting Until The End

Falling behind early in the first set, Syracuse wasn't going to make it easy on the Tigers. After trailing Clemson 7-3, Syracuse clawed its way out of the hole to tie the set at 13. From there the Orange traded points with the Tigers until a kill by McCabe and back-to-back block assists from McCabe and Wlaszczuk put the set away, 25-23 to give 'Cuse the 1-0 lead.

The Tigers burst out to a 13-5 lead in the second, sparking an 8-3 run to pull within three, 16-13. From there Syracuse couldn't overcome Clemson's lead, eventually falling to the Tigers, 25-19.

Both teams struggled to separate themselves from one another in the third stanza, trading blows until Clemson began to make a move once it had a 15-14 lead. From there the Tigers made plays when it needed to, winning 10 of the next 15 points to take the set, 25-20.

Following a 2-2 score in the fourth, Clemson was able to take the lead and not allow Syracuse to come back, holding a small three-point lead until Syracuse trailed 18-15 and Clemson made its move to take the match. The Tigers busted out a 6-1 run to bring the set to match point, 24-16.

With one mistake or just one point executed by the Tigers now deciding the match, Syracuse refused to make it easy, winning the next four points to pull within four. A denied attack by Clemson decided the match on the ensuing play to defeat the Orange 25-20 in the set, and 3-1 in the match.

A Chance To Play Spoiler

Following its loss to Virginia Tech last weekend, the Duke Blue Devils were bumped to No. 25 in the nation. Sunday, 'Cuse will have a chance at knocking Duke out of the top 25 in the Women's Building at 1:00 PM.