Volleyball: Notre Dame overpowers Syracuse 3-0

By Chris Venzon

SYRACUSE, N.Y.– Syracuse entered tonight’s match-up with a talented Notre Dame squad holding a .500 record in ACC play (3-3) and an opportunity to demonstrate its improvement since the start of the 2016 season. The Orange came away with a stark reality check and their 12^th loss of the season.

Syracuse lost to Notre Dame in straight sets, 25-16, 26-24 and 25-10.

Notre Dame rode a 5-game winning streak into the contest behind strong outside hitting from freshman Jemma Yeadon. Yeadon had 18 kills in Notre Dame’s match against Duke last week. Equally effective tonight, the freshman notched 12 kills, including 5 in the critical second period that SU forced into extra points.

It was in the second period that Syracuse found a way to capitalize on Notre Dame’s errors. Eight of the Orange’s nine points resulted from Fighting Irish attack errors. The Cuse managed to keep the set close heading into the 20^th point, leading 20-19. Notre Dame Head Coach Jim McLaughlin called a time out and after the break in action, the Irish won the set.

After the game, Syracuse Head Coach Leonid Yelin shook his head in disbelief at his team’s inability to execute their schemes.

“There were a couple of things that happened in the second game,” Yelin said. “We got them a little bit out of their system, and started winning points on their mistakes. Our points were based off their errors, not what we were doing well at all. I don’t think we played good.”

Lost in the shuffle was the result of a substitution in one of the key moments of the second frame. With Syracuse up 14-12, Yelin put Freshman Defensive Specialist Aliah Bowllan in to serve. Bowllan, who’s .009 service-per-set rate is third best on the team, sent the ball rocketing into the twine. The Irish regained control of the serve, and won five of the next six points.

In its most competitive set of the match, once again, errors doomed the Orange.

Syracuse moves to 3-12 overall. Notre Dame bumps to 14-3. SU’s next match is Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in the Women’s Building against Louisville.