SU Rights The Ship Against Albany

Saturday, September 20

Syracuse, NY

5:00 PM

Syracuse University

6-4

Albany

2-8

Albany

Syracuse

9/20/2014 11:26:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

The Orange made quick work of the Great Danes, defeating them in three sets

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse fired on all cylinders in a 3-0 victory against Albany Saturday in the Women's Building. Syracuse returned home after three road losses to focus on its defense and recorded 50 digs with just three reception errors, and held Albany to a .147 hitting percentage in the process. 'Cuse also posted a 12-3 advantage in blocks. The Orange ranks 5th nationally in blocks per set and has led in that statistics in every match this season.

Match Highlights

Valeriya Shaipova, who missed most of 2013 with an injury, has eased back into her role as one of the go-to outside hitters for this Orange squad. The redshirt sophomore looked good Saturday registering four kills, two assists, six digs and assisting on two blocks. Shaipova's return allowed Coach Leonid Yellin to move Monika Salkute back to her role at middle blocker. Against Albany, Salkute posted 14 kills, one shy of her career best, and had a season-high eight blocks, an ace and seven digs.

Silvi Uattara tied Salkute for the team lead with 14 kills, swinging an efficient .361 hitting percentage. She recorded her fourth double-double of the season with 17 digs and had two blocks.

Setting the duo was Gosia Wlaszczuk. The Poland native created problems for the Albany defense, hitting .417 for six kills. The effective opportune attacks opened up clean looks for her hitters as she served as the feeder on 37 of SU's 45 kills, just two shy of her career high. Wlaszczuk also recorded six block assists, seven digs and two aces.

Stacey Smith assisted on six blocks and Belle Sand tied Uattara for a team high 17 digs as Syracuse's libero in her first career start.

Breaking Down The Victory

In the first game, Syracuse and Albany battled back and forth to a 17-17 tie. Syracuse's Uattara registered a kill to provide a momentum swing for the Orange which opened a 20-17 advantage, which it extended to 22-18 after an Albany timeout. After two Albany points, Syracuse closed out the game with a 25-20 victory.

SU jumped out to a 14-4 lead in the second game and did not look back, earning a 25-10 victory.

In the third game, Albany took an early 14-7 lead before the Orange responded to get within four, 17-13. After Albany took a 20-15 lead, the Orange rallied to tie the game at 23 and then took a 25-24 lead on a kill by Uattara. Minutes later, Uattara provided the match-winning point on a kill, giving the Orange a 27-25 victory.

Syracuse will host Colgate and Cornell to wrap up the Otto Invitational on Sunday, September 21. Colgate beat Cornell in the game following SU's victory, 3-1.