Syracuse Volleyball drops two straight-set matches against Florida ACC squads
By Josh Solomon | @JoshSolo29
After starting the season undefeated with a 12-0 record against non-conference opponents, Syracuse looked to be a fierce competitor in the ACC. However, the Orange have been everything but that in the first eight matches of conference play. This weekend, SU hosted two Florida ACC teams in Miami and number 19 Florida State. And the ACC struggles continued for the Orange.
On Friday night, Miami entered the Women’s Building with an 11-6 record and a 2-3 split in ACC play. The Hurricanes started off the match strong scoring five of the first six points. In the middle of the set, Miami went on a seven-point run and were up 14-5. At this point, the momentum and the set seemed to be secured. The Hurricanes took the first set 25-15. In the second set, Miami’s energy was electric, rolling to a 25-13 set win. But for the Orange with their backs against the wall, they showed true perseverance. After Miami scored the first two points, Syracuse responded with five straight points. The Orange extended that lead almost into double digits with a 14-6 advantage about halfway through the third set. SU middle blocker Zharia Harris-Waddy led the squad with three of her six total kills coming in that third set. Harris-Waddy’s six kills marked a season-high for the sophomore. Harris-Waddy and outside hitter Skylar George finished the third set with three kills. George also tallied 11 digs in the match. All of Syracuse’s momentum came to a screeching halt after its 14-6 lead. Miami fought its way back into the match and eventually scored the final four points taking the third set 25-22. Hurricanes outside hitter Flormarie Heredia Colon racked up 11 kills and nine kills in her squad’s straight-sets victory.
For Syracuse, the ACC battles didn’t get any easier taking on 19th-ranked Florida State on Sunday afternoon. Coming into the match, Florida State had a 5-2 record against conference opponents. Starting in the first set, the Orange were very competitive and showed their strength against a ranked opponent. The ‘Cuse were only down 7-6 early in the set after losing the first three points of the match. However, FSU went on a run and extended its lead to 16-9 about halfway through the set. Syracuse outside hitter Ava Palm was the lone star for the Orange in that set racking up five kills. The SU grad student finished the match with 12 kills and eight digs. But even after Palm’s outstanding effort, the Seminoles took set one 25-15. In the second set, SU was battling until the end. Both teams were knotted up 10 times in the set. Trailing 19-16, Syracuse won four consecutive points including two back-to-back service aces by George. But Florida State once reaching a one-point lead late in the second set took three points in a row. FSU was looking for the sweep after a 25-22 second set win. In the third set, SU head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam put it simply.
“Florida State just played even better than the second set,” Ganesharatnam said.
FSU in the halfway point of the third set was up 15-8. The Seminoles eventually took the third set 25-14 and were victorious in a straight-set win over the Orange.
After two straight-set losses this weekend, Syracuse is still without a win in ACC play. The Orange have lost their last eight games, six of them coming in straight sets. SU has also played against four ranked teams this season and all of those matches have ended in straight-sets losses. Unfortunately for Syracuse, another tough conference opponent in Virginia is coming to town next. The Cavaliers have a 15-4 record this season and are 5-3 in ACC play. The opening serve for that match is at 7 p.m. on Wednesday in the Women’s Building.
