Syracuse Sweeps Northeastern for Second Win

By Brad Klein

CitrusTV Volleyball Beat Reporter

BOSTON, MA – Even though Syracuse (2-4, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) came up with just one win at the Kansas Invitational last week, the Orange left Lawrence with a good taste in their mouths after a clean sweep of the Jayhawks. That momentum carried over to Boston where Syracuse swept Northeastern (6-6, 0-0 Colonial Athletic).

The Orange was going back and forth early on with the Huskies, but junior outside hitter Ella Saada took over the first set. Saada smacked two kills to lead SU to a pair of three-point runs. Syracuse won the first set 25-19.

Saada was exceptionally efficient against the Huskies with a career-high match hitting percentage of .560. She smacked 17 kills in the win.

Eight of Saada’s kills came in the second set, which Syracuse won 25-17. The Orange were tied with the Huskies at 10 apiece when Head Coach, Leonid Yelin replaced sophomore setter Elena Karakasi shortly after a Karakasi service error. She subbed in for freshman Laura Woodford. Woodford then led Syracuse to score seven of the next eight points. The freshman finished the match with eight assists.

Northeastern didn’t go down without a fight, though. The Huskies jumped out to an early third-set lead, but the Orange would erase the deficit by rattling off eight straight points and seizing the set 25-12 to complete the sweep.

While reigning ACC freshman of the year Polina Shemanova took a back seat to Saada, the Russian still shined with 10 kills and seven digs. Junior outside hitter Yulia Yastrub posted a season-high 11 digs.

Syracuse does not have much time to rest on its overwhelming victory as they clash with Harvard on Saturday at 2 p.m.

bwklein@syr.edu | @BradKlein15