Volleyball Finishes Weekend with 3-1 Victory

Saturday, September 12

Brooklyn, NY

7:30 PM

Syracuse University

6-2

LIU Brooklyn

0-7

Syracuse

LIU Brooklyn

9/12/2015 10:51:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Syracuse volleyball team ended the LIU Blackbird Invitational on a high note, defeating the host LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds 3-1 Saturday night.

Syracuse and LIU Brooklyn split the first two sets, with the Orange winning the first set 25-22 and the Blackbirds taking the second set, 25-22. The Orange, however, jumped back from the loss in the second set, winning the next two sets 25-17 and 25-12. 'Cuse handed LIU Brooklyn its seventh loss of the season, while the Orange improved its record to 6-2.

Senior Gosia Wlaszczuk was named to the All-Tournament Team after her impressive weekend in the setter's position. The Poland native totaled a whopping 101 assists over the course of three matches. She also added 24 digs on the weekend, with half of the digs coming from the win over LIU Brooklyn.

The Orange and the Blackbirds juggled the first set back and forth before Syracuse began to pull away, taking a 19-14 lead towards the end of the set. LIU Brooklyn challenged Syracuse until the end, but a kill by freshman middle blocker Santita Ebangwese sealed the victory in the first set, 25-22.

The second set continued in similar fashion, but a run made by LIU Brooklyn in the middle of the set tilted the momentum in their favor. The Orange fought hard to stay in the game while coming from behind, going on a 7-1 run to bring the set within two points, but the Blackbirds ultimately came out on top, 25-22.

Syracuse didn't let the loss in the second set slow them down in the last two sets. The Orange and the Blackbirds continued to battle back and forth for the first half of the third set, but an 8-2 run made by Syracuse at the end of the game solidified a 25-17 victory.

The final set, however, was all about the Orange. Coming out of the gates strong and never looking back, Syracuse finalized the victory with a dominating 25-12 fourth-set win over the Blackbirds.

Senior outside hitter Monika Salkute shone bright in the four-set victory, leading the team with 13 kills while also adding four total blocks. Outside hitter Nicolette Serratore and Santita Ebangwese totaled 11 kills apiece.

Ebangwese and sophomore Leah Levert dominated at the net, each contributing six total blocks on the evening. Wlaszczuk added five total blocks to the mix and also racked up 38 out of the total 41 assists in the four-set victory.

Sophomore libero Belle Sand continued to prove her dependability in the back row, leading the team with 14 digs.

The Orange make its highly anticipated home debut next weekend, hosting the Syracuse Tournament. Syracuse matches up against New Hampshire on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 5 p.m.