Syracuse Sweeps Kansas for First Win of the Year

By Brad Klein

CitrusTV Volleyball Beat Reporter

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Despite losing the first four matches of the year, the Syracuse volleyball team showed glimpses of the talent that carried them to their first NCAA tournament in program history last season. In the final match of the Kansas Invitational, the Orange finally pieced it all together for their first win in 2019.

Syracuse (1-4, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) swept Kansas (4-4, 0-0 BIG 12) 3-0 in front of a packed Kansas crowd at the Horejsi Volleyball Arena as the Orange increased their aggressiveness against the Jayhawks and were finally able to finish frames.

Freshman outside hitter Marina Markova led the Orange in the first set. The Russian freshman piled up half of the Orange’s six aces while tallying five kills in the first frame. Later in the set, Markova handed over the reigns to setter Elena Karakasi, who accounted for each of Syracuse’s final six points en route to a 25-21 first-set victory.

Karakasi continued to shine for Syracuse as she lifted up a game-high 34 assists to cap off an outstanding Kansas Invitational.

SU truly showed their grit in the second set as the Orange extended the frame by taking set point from Kansas four times. Syracuse eventually won 31-29 in an impressive display of mental toughness, overcoming a mere .130 set hitting percentage and a whopping 12 attack errors.

The Orange did not rest on their laurels from the first two-set lead. Syracuse dropped the hammer on Kansas, seizing the third set 25-12, as SU won 11 of the last 13 points to lock up the sweep.

Syracuse will stay on the road on Friday against Northeastern at 7 p.m.

bwklein@syr.edu | @BradKlein15