Volleyball Defeats Duke in Four

Sunday, November 19

1 PM

Syracuse University

19-12, 11-7ACC

Duke

17-12, 9-9ACC

Duke

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

11/19/2017 6:47:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score GAME31

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Four different 'Cuse student-athletes posted at least 10 kills and the Syracuse women's volleyball team defeated Duke, 3-1 (20-25, 25-19, 26-24, 25-21), Sunday afternoon in the Women's Building. The Orange improves to 19-12 and 11-7 in ACC play. The Blue Devils fall to 17-12 and 9-9.

Ella Saada posted a team-high 13 kills and added 16 digs. Santita Ebangwese and Amber Witherspoon finished with 12 kills each and combined for 10 blocks. Kendra Lukacs posted 10 kills and nine digs.

Jalissa Trotter finished with a match-high 45 assists and totaled 16 digs. Belle Sand led all competitors with 22 digs.

How It Was Decided
Duke used a 4-0 run to break open a 15-15 game in the first set and held on to win, 25-20.

With Syracuse clinging to a 10-8 lead in set two, the Orange ran off four straight points to open up a six point lead. Kills from Trotter and Saada followed by an ace by Saada and a Blue Devil error accumulated the run. A Witherspoon kill gave 'Cuse set point and a Duke attack error clinched a 25-19 victory.

The third set was by far the closest of the match, neither side held a lead larger than two. With the match tied at 24, Trotter smashed home a kill for set point and followed up with an ace and Syracuse won 26-24.

With the fourth set tied at 11, a 7-1 Orange run pushed 'Cuse in front. Syracuse remained in control and a kill from Saada cemented a 25-21 victory.

Coach's Thoughts
"Everyone is so happy with the win, this was special," said head coach Leonid Yelin. "Duke was a very good team."

"To overcome losing the first game and come back, that was not easy. We had to make dramatic changes in order to be successful and the girls stepped up."

Of Note
Syracuse concludes the week of play tied for fifth place in the ACC with Notre Dame and North Carolina. The Orange will matchup with the Irish on Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Women's Building in a critical match for final positioning.

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