Orange Defeat UConn, 3-2, in Five-Set Comeback Victory

Saturday, September 1

Storrs, CT

2 pm

Syracuse University

2-0

University of Connecticut

5-2

Syracuse

UConn

Orange Defeat UConn, 3-2, in Five-Set Comeback Victory

9/1/2018 6:28:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score

STORRS, Conn. – After dropping its first two sets, the Syracuse volleyball team completed a five-set comeback victory over Connecticut Saturday afternoon. The Orange were led by four players with double-digit kills including 18 from freshman Polina Shemanova.

Ella Saada, Amber Witherspoon and Santita Ebangwese recorded 12, 11 and 10 kills, respectively. Saada also added 11 digs for her first double-double of the season. Shemanova was named Tournament MVP following a 16 kill performance last night, while Witherspoon and Ebangwese were also named to the All-Tournament Team.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Orange went down early in the first set, 15-6, before using an 8-0 run behind Saada's serve to take their first lead of the set at 21-20. UConn took the first set 26-24, following back-to-back attacking errors from Syracuse.

After dropping the second set 25-19, the Orange opened the third set matching UConn point-for-point. Both teams battled back and forth with neither grabbing more than a two point lead until Syracuse went on a 10-2 run that would give them the 25-19 set win.

The Huskies continued to battle Syracuse into the fourth tying the set at 19-19 but four errors allowed the Orange to push the match to a fifth set. In the fifth set, Syracuse used a 9-1 run to clinch their second win of the season.

Of Note
The Orange compiled a .571 hitting percentage in the fifth set with kills coming from six different athletes.

UP NEXT
The Orange will head to Milwaukee, Wis. Sept 7-9 where they are set to take on two top-25 opponents in BYU and USC as well as host, Marquette.

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