Orange Downed by Blue Devils in Four Sets

Sunday, October 30

1 pm

Syracuse University

6-16, 5-7ACC

Duke

16-6, 10-2ACC

Duke

Syracuse

10/30/2016 4:25:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

Lukacs, Trotter tally second-career double-doubles

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Splitting the weekend at home, the Syracuse volleyball team fell in four sets (15-25, 25-23, 21-25, 21-25) to Duke on Sunday afternoon at the Women's Building. The Orange are now 5-7 in conference play and 6-16 overall on the season.

Kendra Lukacs and Jalissa Trotter each came away with a double-double on the game, as the freshman had 13 kills and 10 digs, while the sophomore had 18 assists and 16 digs, respectively.

Trotter was a jack of all trades in today's match, adding eight kills with just one error, along with a solo block and three assisted stops at the net.

"I just try to stay aggressive regardless of what position I'm playing," Trotter said of her game mentality. "Whether Coach (Yelin) wants me to set or play defense, I just go for it."

Santita Ebangwese was solid in all categories as well, as the sophomore tallied eight kills, seven digs, three assisted blocks and a solo stop.

Leading the Orange in kills was sophomore Anastasiya Gorelina with 14, while fellow sophomore Annie Bozzo directed the 'Cuse offense with 23 assists on the game.

The Orange led the game in blocking efforts with 10.0 team blocks to Duke's 9.0. Leah Levert led the effort for Syracuse, as the junior tallied four assisted blocks and a solo stop at the net.

Syracuse had a slow start in set one, as Duke (16-6, 10-2 ACC) went on a 6-0 run to push the first Syracuse timeout (10-5 Duke).

A second substantial 4-0 run led the Orange to call a second timeout (16-9 Duke). The Orange were unable to pick up the momentum out of the break, as the Blue Devils closed out the game on top, 25-15.

Momentum switched in the second set, as Syracuse was dissatisfied with the first set. The Orange tallied a 9-3 run to sit atop the Blue Devils, 13-10.

Duke matched the play with a 3-0 run to even the game at 13. The pair traded points back and forth until Duke tallied a 5-0 run to lead 'Cuse, 19-16.

Syracuse regained control and the lead with a 4-0 run to force the Blue Devil timeout (20-19 SU).

Out of the break, the pair fought point-by-point, until the Orange were able to secure the second set, 25-23.

Duke set the pace in the third set with a 6-1 run, but the Orange fought back to bring the game within one after a 4-0 run of their own.

Syracuse took a three-point lead late in the set (20-17 SU), but a 7-0 Blue Devil run brought Duke to game point (24-20 Duke).

The Orange were able to grab one last point before Duke closed out set three, 25-21.

The fourth set began with an early lead from the Blue Devils, as Syracuse pushed to close the scoring gap.

Trailing 15-22 late in the fourth, the Orange tallied a 5-1 run to come within three points and force the Duke timeout.

Syracuse was unable to overcome the Blue Devils in the fourth set, as Duke won the game 25-21, and the match, 3-1.

The Orange take to the road on Wednesday for a mid-week game at Boston College and then travel to Virginia for a Friday night match with the Cavaliers.

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