No. 3 Pittsburgh Hands Volleyball Third Straight Loss

Friday, October 11

Syracuse, NY

7 pm

Syracuse University

4-8,1-4ACC

Pittsburgh

15-2,5-0ACC

Pittsburgh

Syracuse

No. 3 Pittsburgh Hands Volleyball Third Straight Loss

10/11/2019 9:59:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Highlights

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse volleyball team (4-8, 1-4 ACC) lost its third consecutive match on Friday night as the Orange got swept by No. 3 Pittsburgh (16-1, 5-0 ACC). Syracuse lost a close first set, 26-24, before losing 25-15 and 25-17 in the final two sets. The Orange will look to bounce back in the final of a four-game home stand on Sunday afternoon against Virginia.

Head coach Leonid Yelin did not see the loss as a setback, but rather a blueprint for what his team can do to improve for the remainder of the season. "Yes, they are number three in the nation, but as you can see from the first set, we can play as good as they are. Now we just have to figure out what we have to do."

HOW IT HAPPENED
The first set was thrilling throughout. Syracuse and Pitt were locked in a tight battle, with the set tied ten different times. It was even at 19 before Pittsburgh scored three-straight points to take a 22-19 lead. However, Syracuse battled back, with a kill by sophomore Polina Shemanova and a block and a kill by freshman Marina Markova to tie the set back up at 22. Another kill by Markova put the Orange in front 24-23, but the Panthers scored three straight points and win the set, 26-24, and take a 1-0 lead in the match. Shemanova led Syracuse with six kills in the first set, while junior Ella Saada had five.

Pittsburgh was in control for a majority of the second set. The Panthers jumped out to a 15-9 at the first media timeout, and while the Orange cut the deficit to 18-13, Pittsburgh didn't waver and finished the set on a 7-2 scoring run. The Panthers won the set, 25-15, and took a 2-0 lead in the match. Shemanova tallied three kills in the second set, while Markova, Saada and freshman Abby Casiano each had two.

Pittsburgh was in front for most of the third set, as well, as despite being tied at six to start, the Orange found themselves in a 15-9 hole once again at the media timeout. Syracuse didn't go out without a fight, with a few kills by Saada helping cut the Panthers lead to just 20-16. Pitt, though, would finish strong and take the set, 25-17, to win the match, 3-0.

NOTEWORTHY
Senior libero Aliah Bowllan returned to action for the first time since Sept. 15 at Kansas. The Pittsford, N.Y. native had been sidelined with an injury for the last six matches, registering a team-leading 16 digs to go along with three assists in her return.

Sophomore Polina Shemanova led the Orange with 15 kills, seven digs, three service aces and a blocking assist. Shemanova now has 198 kills on the season, which is best in the ACC.

Freshman Marina Markova added another service ace tonight, bringing her total to 22 service aces on the season. She entered with a .50 service ace percentage, good for second in the conference.

Syracuse is now 1-4 in ACC play, with a win against Clemson and losses to Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Duke and Pitt.

BY THE NUMBERS
KILLS: Syracuse 34, Pittsburgh 43
ACES: Syracuse 4, Pittsburgh 1
BLOCKS: Syracuse 7, Pittsburgh 9
ASSISTS: Syracuse 33, Pittsburgh 38
DIGS: Syracuse 37, Pittsburgh 39

WHAT'S NEXT
The Orange wrap up their home stand on Sunday, Oct. 13 as they host Virginia (9-9, 1-4 ACC) at the Women's Building at. 1 p.m. It is the Pink Day match and fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of those who have battled or are currently battling breast cancer. Admission and parking to the match are free and the match will broadcast live on ACC Network Extra.

For continued coverage of Syracuse Volleyball, follow us on Twitter (@CuseVB), Instagram (@cusevb) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Volleyball).