Syracuse Volleyball Drops Its First Game of the Kansas Invitational

By Brad Klein

CitrusTV Volleyball Beat Reporter

LAWRENCE, Kan. – The Syracuse volleyball team limped out of the gate this season with two big blows to their confidence in two shutout losses. But, the Orange did not stop fighting in their third bout.

Syracuse (0-3, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) went the distance with Morehead State (6-2, 0-0 Ohio Valley), only to lose their third match in a row, 3-2. This is the first time the Orange are winless through three games to start the year since 2016.

SU won its first set of the year by taking the first frame 25-15. The Orange owned the momentum heading into the second frame by scoring the last 11 points in the first set.

The Eagles would not fold after the Orange’s run. The two teams were neck and neck for the entire second set as Morehead State and Syracuse saw 16 ties. MSU eventually rattled off six of the last eight points scored in the frame to take the set 27-25.

The third set was just as even, but the Eagles prevailed once again, this time 25-22. The Orange answered right back with a triumphant 25-13 fourth set victory.

In the fifth set, the two traded blows. Tied at 10 apiece, Morehead State called a timeout. When MSU head coach Jaime Gordon broke the huddle, it was all business from there. The Eagles took five of the next seven points to win the set, 15-12, and clinch the match victory.

While Syracuse swallowed a tough loss, the box score showed a good omen. Prior to the match, outside hitter Polina Shemanova expressed that the team needed to improve their serving. The Orange posted 10 aces in an impressive serve showing.

The Orange won’t have much time to regroup as they face Arizona in Game 2 of the Kansas Invitational Saturday night at 8 p.m.

bwklein@syr.edu | @BradKlein15