Louisville gets Revenge on Syracuse in Sweep
By Brad Klein
CitrusTV Volleyball Beat Reporter
LOUISVILLE, KY – After five consecutive ACC wins, Syracuse volleyball (10-12, 8-7 Atlantic Coast) seemed to have turned a corner. In that win streak, the Orange topped the Louisville Cardinals (17-8, 10-5 Atlantic Coast) in five sets. On Friday night, Louisville got its revenge with a clean sweep in Kentucky.
The Orange swallowed its fifth sweep of the year, but it’s the first 0-3 loss since October 20 when SU lost to Florida State.
Louisville dominated the entire match because they were able to keep Polina Shemanova in check. The SU outside hitter was held to just 10 kills and six digs. That ties a season low for the sophomore. It’s also the second consecutive match in which Shemanova did not post a double double.
The Cardinals took the first set 25-19 in the narrowest frame of the match. Louisville won the first four points of the match and never looked back. Amber Stivrins led the way with five kills. The freshman outside hitter finished the match with 10 kills.
Louisville grabbed the second set 25-15. The Cardinals pulled away after Shemanova committed two attack errors. The Russian was credited with a total of 10 errors.
The Cardinals clinched the final set victory on an Anna Stevenson kill. The Junior middle blocker piled up eight kills in the match.
On a slow night from Polina Shemanova, nobody else picked up the slack for the Orange. Junior outside hitter Ella Saada had just six kills. As a team, SU totalled a season low 24 kills.
Syracuse is back in action on Sunday when they visit Notre Dame in South Bend, IN.
bwklein@syr.edu | @BradKlein15
