Syracuse Volleyball loses in straight sets to another ranked opponent in #15 Georgia Tech
By Josh Solomon | @JoshSolo29
After a senior night ceremony prior to the beginning of tonights match at Georgia Tech, it seemed like the Yellow Jackets were playing for more than just a victory against Syracuse. GT had its hearts in this match, especially the seniors who had their families in attendance.
The first set began with a run by Georgia Tech. GT notched six points in a row early going up 6-1, and things didn’t slow down from there. Yes, Syracuse did display a run of its own in the middle part of the set narrowing the lead to just three points, 12-9. But, GT’s outside hitter Tamara Otene wasn’t going to let that happen. The senior from New Zealand tallied nine kills in the first set helping lead the Yellow Jackets on a second half run including winning the last five points of the set in a row. Georgia Tech easily took the set 25-16.
Syracuse lit a spark to begin the second set and wasn’t in that slower phase out the gate that was seen in the first set. Georgia Tech began its lead to pull away in that middle portion of the second set including a five-point run led by middle blocker DeAndra Pierce. The Yellow Jackets middle blocker had three kills in that sequence and finished with 10 kills on the night. GT once again pushed through at the end of the set grabbing four of the final five points and looking very dominant with a 25-15 second set victory.
To begin this third set, Syracuse was already down 2-0 but things only seemed to unravel more. The Orange atrocious 12% hitting percentage in this match was utilized by the Yellow Jackets whose hitting was 40%. GT scored eight unanswered points to begin the third set and quite frankly, it was a lead that SU just could not come back from. Georgia Tech’s outside hitter Bianca Bertolino couldn’t seem to be stopped totaling three kills out of the first seven points. The senior finished the match with 10 kills for GT. In that middle half of the third set, the ‘Cuse did have their go at a run, scoring five of eight points and making it just a six-point lead for Georgia Tech, 14-8. However, the Yellow Jackets weren’t going to let the Orange catch up. GT scored five of the final seven points of the match taking the third set 25-17. Georgia Tech (19-5, 11-4 ACC) defeats Syracuse (13-14, 2-14 ACC) in straight sets, 3-0.
This loss for Syracuse marks its sixth against a ranked opponent and all of the matches were ended in straight-sets. The Orange look to get back on track for the final few games of the season starting with Clemson on Sunday. The Tigers have also struggled mightly in ACC play and are still looking for their first win against a conference opponent at 0-14. Overall, Clemson’s record is 8-17. The first serve is set for noon on Sunday.
