Orange Swept by Strong #8 Pitt Squad

Sunday, October 1

Pittsburgh, Pa.

1 p.m.

Syracuse University

2-12,0-4ACC

Pitt

13-2,4-0ACC

Syracuse

Pittsburgh

2023 Volleyball Team Huddle During Timeout at Home

10/1/2023 3:13:00 PM | Volleyball

Box Score Highlights

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Syracuse was defeated by #8 Pitt (13-2, 4-0 ACC) on Sunday afternoon with a sweep (25-15, 25-18, 25-6). Junior Cherlin Antonio led the Orange with nine kills and three service aces. Freshman Veronica Sierzant was a key contributor, collecting three kills on ten attacks and four digs.

"I think we are making strides in our process," said head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam. "I thought against UVA and today against Pitt in the first two sets, we really improved in our serving and serve-recieve game. We found ways to be more productive on our offense and create better opportunities for our attackers, finding ways for them to score in more than one dimension. Looking at the weekend overall, we are progressing, we just have to keep working and eventually the positive results will come our way."

'Cuse (2-12, 0-4 ACC) came out of the gate matching the energy of a strong Pitt squad, tying the score early at 2-2 in the first frame. The Orange forced a Pitt timeout later in the set after a service ace from graduate Alyssa Bert brought the score within three, 14-11 in favor of Pitt. The timeout was effective as the Panthers would go on an eight-point run to bring the score to 22-11. A late 4-2 run from 'Cuse was not enough, as Pitt went on to take the set, 25-15.

The Orange brought high energy into the second frame, taking an early 6-5 lead and keeping pace with the Panthers to tie the score at 8-8. After a four-point run from Pitt forced a Syracuse timeout, the Orange made a comeback effort, scoring two consecutive points to bring the score within two, 13-11. After a successful 'Cuse challenge, Pitt responded with a four-point run to bring the score to 17-11. The Orange refused to give in, going on a 5-2 scoring run to cut the Pitt lead to three, 19-16. The Panthers then went on a 6-2 run to win the second set, 25-18.

Pitt came into the third frame looking to close out the match, scoring the first five points of set three. Down 7-1 in the frame, 'Cuse took a timeout to recollect. Pitt continued its reign out of the timeout, going up by ten in the set and forcing a second Syracuse timeout, 13-3. The Panthers put on an impressive run of 8-1 to bring the Pitt lead to 21-4. A four point-run to end the frame won the set and the match for the Panthers, 25-6.

Of Note:

Antonio served a career-high of three aces in the match to go along with a team-high nine kills.
Syracuse has had at least five service aces in eight of its fourteen matches this season.
Freshman Mira Ledermueller attributed a team-high 15 assists as well as two kills and four digs.

Next Match:
The Orange will be back on the home court to kick off Alumni Weekend on Friday, October 6, facing off against Virginia Tech at 6 p.m.

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