Orange Prevail in Five-Set Thriller Over Wake Forest

Friday, October 28

7 pm

Syracuse University

6-15, 5-6ACC

Wake Forest

9-13, 5-6ACC

Wake Forest

Syracuse

Orange Prevail in Five-Set Thriller Over Wake Forest

10/28/2016 10:21:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Ebangwese, Orange block lead ‘Cuse to home conference victory

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – In a thrilling five-set victory in the Women's Building, sophomore middle blocker Santita Ebangwese led the Orange with career-high marks in four categories, as the Syracuse defeated Wake Forest, 3-2 (28-26, 16-25, 23-25, 26-24, 15-8) on Friday night.

The Orange were dominant at the net, tallying 20.0 team blocks to Wake Forest's 5.0. Syracuse advanced to 5-6 in the ACC and 6-15 overall, while the Demon Deacons fell to 5-6 in the ACC and 9-13 overall.

Ebangwese tallied 16 kills, five assisted blocks, four digs, one solo stop and a service ace to set career-high marks in four categories on the night and to lead the Orange offense in the home victory.

Fellow sophomore Anastasiya Gorelina was the only other 'Cuse player to tally double-digit kill numbers, as the outside hitter had 11. Gorelina added five assisted stops at the net.

Leading in blocks on the night was junior Leah Levert, who registered four solo blocks and eight assisted blocks.

Sophomore Annie Bozzo had a career-night as well, as the setter tallied a double-double with 37 assists and 15 digs. Bozzo also had a career-high five kills.

From the back court, junior Belle Sand led the effort with 20 digs, while Bozzo added 15 digs to the Orange defense.

Syracuse took the first set, as the Orange battled hard and played into extra points, ultimately coming out on top, 28-26. Ebangwese contributed six kills to seal the win in the first set.

The Demon Deacons came out strong in the second game and gained a strong lead over 'Cuse. Halting the Orange to just 16 points, Wake Forest tied the game, 1-1, after claiming set two, 25-16.

Set three started out slow for the Orange, as the Demon Deacons fought for a 6-0 lead. Syracuse fought back and went point-for-point with Wake Forest, until the Deacons eventually outlasted the Orange to take set three, 25-23.

The Orange brought the fourth set to extra points, 26-24, after a late 3-0 run brought the Deacons within just one point (23-22 SU). Wake Forest tied the game at 24, but a kill from freshman Polina Prokudina and a Demon Deacon setting error closed out set four and forced the fifth game.

Syracuse came out with fire in the fifth set, taking a quick 5-1 lead to force a Wake Forest timeout.

The Orange capitalized on an 8-2 run led by Ebangwese to close out set five, 15-8, and claim the five-set victory over the Demon Deacons.

Syracuse returns to the Women's Building on Sunday to welcome Duke. The first serve is set for 1 p.m.

For all of the latest information on Syracuse volleyball, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Volleyball), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseVB), and Instagram (@cusepics& @cusevb).