Syracuse Sweeps NC State to Split Tar Heel State Trip
By Brad Klein
CitrusTV Volleyball Beat Reporter
RALEIGH, NC – The Syracuse Volleyball team has been its own worst enemy for most of its season as ACC rivals have reaped the benefits of SU’s errors.
The tables turned for SU on Sunday when NC State gifted the ‘Cuse plenty of free points. Syracuse (6-11, 3-7 Atlantic Coast) swept NC State (8-14, 3-7 ACC) 3-0, thanks to the Wolfpack’s 18 attack errors and 10 service errors.
The Orange grabbed the first set 25-21 when sophomore outside hitter Polina Shemanova rose up for eight kills. The Russian finished with a game-high 22, adding 10 digs for her seventh double-double of the year.
Elena Karakasi and Lauren Woodford split the match at setter, each tallying 18 assists. Woodford is a freshman, who has played behind Karakasi for most of the year. She pieced together an incredible road trip with back-to-back double-digit assist matches for the first time in her career.
The Orange took a 2-0 lead, narrowly winning the second set 25-23. Yulia Yastrub smacked four of her eight kills in the second frame.
Dana Gardner played well throughout the match, trying to limit star outside hitter Jade Parchment. The NC State sophomore finished the match with just 15 kills.
Syracuse edged NC State in the third frame, 26-24, thanks to eight free points given from the Wolfpack. Senior outside hitter Lauryn Terry was responsible for five attack errors alone. The most crucial error came at the end of the set when Terry slammed the ball into the net, giving SU a 25-24 lead. Syracuse clinched on the next play after sophomore middle blocker Pam Chukwujekwu did the same.
The Orange resume ACC play on Friday when they host Notre Dame in the Women’s Building.
bwklein@syr.edu | @BradKlein15
