Syracuse’s Five-Game Win Streak Snapped in Raleigh
By Justin Paura
CitrusTV Volleyball Reporter
RALEIGH, N.C.—Exactly one month ago, NC State made the trip to Central New York to battle Syracuse in their first matchup of the season. The Orange embarrassed the Wolfpack in the first set, 25-9, for their biggest win of the season en route to a 3-1 victory. NC State did not forget about that loss and prepared all month for their opportunity to get back at Leonid Yelin and company. This time around, the Wolfpack (15-12, 9-8 ACC) snagged the win in perfect fashion, defeating SU (17-8, 13-4 ACC) in straight sets.
The Orange played their best volleyball of the afternoon in the first set. In an effort to seize the advantage right out the gates, they racked up a team-high 17 kills on a match-best 44.7% hitting with zero errors. The attack was led by none other than star freshman Polina Shemanova. She led the squad with eight of her 10 kills in the first, but it wasn’t nearly enough. NC State countered with their best set , putting up 20 kills on 34.8% hitting to come out with 25-23 victory.
The loss really took a toll on how Syracuse performed for the rest of the match. In the second set, they dropped to 6.5% hitting, had 10 less kills and committed five errors. NC State did not have their cleanest set either, but they outplayed SU just enough to squeeze by with a 25-20 win to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
It was more of the same in the third set. A better hitting percentage and less errors for the Orange, but not nearly the performance they needed to top the red-hot Wolfpack side. NC State extended their win streak to five matches by taking the third set 25-20, sweeping Syracuse in dominant fashion.
The Orange is still on a good pace to make their first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. They came into the week 27th in RPI and only have four losses in conference play this season.
A huge resume builder would be winning their last match of the regular season, at home Saturday afternoon against Wake Forest.
@jpaura24 | jpaura@syr.edu
