Syracuse Volleyball loses a 3-2 reverse sweep match against California
By Josh Solomon | @JoshSolo29
Berkeley, CA – It was a tight first set between Syracuse and California. Both teams truly were deadlocked up until the final moments. However, a moment in the mid to late part of the set put SU ahead. The Orange scored six points in a row making it a 20-13 lead. Despite a late push by Cal, Syracuse completed the finishing touches of a 25-21 first-set win. It was the first set SU had won since September 21st.
After that point, Syracuse displayed dominance over California. The Orange got ahead on the front foot with a 12-5 lead in the early half of the second set. Right-side hitter Sydnie Waller helped lead the ‘Cuse picking up six kills in the set. The sophomore finished the match with 15 kills, two digs, and four blocks. Syracuse went on another run in the middle of the set scoring four points in a row and going up 16-7. SU closed out the set soon after going up 2-0 with a 25-16 second set victory.
The third set was a tough battle between both squads. California put up a fight knowing it was a do-or-die set. However, the beginning of the set didn’t start great for the Bears. Syracuse scored the opening six points quickly and forced California to take its first timeout very early into the third set. But a response came fast, Cal scored four points in a row of its own and was only trailing 9-6 almost midway through the set. In the halfway part of the third set, both teams went on scoring runs, trading momentum down to the later portions of the match. It was then when Cal’s Peyton DeJardin took over nailing two kills including the winning point of the 25-23 set. The Bears outside hitter finished the contest with 11 kills, 20 digs, and two blocks. California scored nine of the final 12 points to take the third set.
In the fourth, it was clear that the momentum had swung the Bears’ way. Cal scored the first three points of the set. But if you remember, Syracuse still had a two sets to one lead. The Orange scored four in a row in the middle of the set, leading 12-10. Late in the second, it was back to California’s side. The Bears scored the final four points taking the set 25-23 over the Orange. Cal’s outside hitter Maggie Li recorded the last two points on two kills. The sophomore finished the match with 17 kills, 11 digs, and two digs.
The fifth set let both teams have their moment, but after being down 2-0 it was clear which team not only had the home crowd on its side but also a tremendous amount of momentum. The Bears started the set down three points but immediately clawed their way back. California ended up scoring four points in a row. First, Cal tied the match at 14s, forcing a win by two scenario and then scoring two more to take the final set 16-14. California (10-8, 2-4 ACC) after getting reverse swept Friday night against Boston College pulled one out themselves against (12-6, 0-6 ACC) Syracuse.
With this defeat, the Orange return home still without an ACC victory. SU has lost its last six games in a row after going undefeated in non-conference play. Next weekend Syracuse takes on a couple of Florida opponents. First up is a match against Miami on Friday at 6.
