Syracuse Wins Fourth in a Row in a Five-Set Marathon against Boston College
By Brad Klein
CitrusTV’s Volleyball Beat Reporter
CHESTNUT HILL, MA – Syracuse (9-11, 6-7 Atlantic Coast) has finally hit their groove during the dog days of ACC play. The Orange have won four consecutive matches against top-tier conference teams, capped off by a five set win against Boston College (17-9, 8-5 Atlantic Coast).
The Eagles won the first set 25-19 thanks to seven errors by the Orange, and a mere .140 hitting percentage. Syracuse has made a habit of losing the first set. Head Coach Leonid Yelin’s squad dropped the first frame in each of the past three matches.
After last weekend’s win against Louisville, sophomore outside hitter Polina Shemanova pointed to youth and inexperience to explain slow starts, but referred to resiliency to explain victories after those slow starts.
Shemanova led the way with a game high 32 kills. The Russian racked up six kills in the second set, and won the frame 25-17. SU pulled away with a few 3-0 spurts, and actually won the set on a Polina Shemanova ace.
Shemanova’s night was bolstered by Elena Karakasi’s game-high 50 assists.
The Eagles had four hitters with 10 or more kills. Jewel Strawberry piled up 10, Amaka Chukwujekwu had 11 and Cat Balido slammed 13 kills.
Junior Clare Naughton was credited with a team-high 20 kills. Naughton totalled five kills in Boston College’s 25-21 third set win.
Syracuse forced a fifth set after taking the fourth frame 25-20. SU won five points in a row to edge the Eagles towards the end of the set.
The fifth and decisive set was taken by Syracuse 15-8. The Orange have not lost a fifth set since October 6 against Duke.
SU is back in action on Sunday when they host Virginia Tech on Military Appreciation Day.
bwklein@syr.edu | @BradKlein15
