Blocking keeps Syracuse volleyball competitive against Penn State, but SU still falters

Three times in succession, Penn State tried to spike the ball.

Three times Syracuse blocked the Nittany Lions.

The third time, the Syracuse front line combined to block what would have been a bullet by Penn State’s dominant outside hitter Simone Lee.

The ball instead deflected up in the air eventually bobbling between Orange players before reaching setter Jalissa Trotter who assisted to Mackenzie Weaver for a strike that just stayed inbounds.

Syracuse had stunned the Nittany Lions and led 9-8 in the first set against one of collegiate volleyball’s perennial powers. On the next play Lee served the ball into the net.

Syracuse (1-6) eventually slowed down and lost to No. 17 Penn State (5-3) in three sets Saturday night at the Women’s Building, but for a moment a glimpse of what SU could do was on full display.

“We’re going to find out about ourselves in every match that we’ll play from now on,” Orange head coach Leonid Yelin said.

Syracuse finished the match with 10 total blocks and 14 block assists that lead directly to offense. Middle blocker Amber Witherspoon led the team with seven individual blocks.

Last year, Syracuse was one of the best teams in the nation in blocking and while the team has struggled to stay consistent, the constant presence of blocking and team defense has helped Syracuse stay in games, like on Saturday against a top-20 opponent.

“We worked and fought the entire time,” Witherspoon said. “We can now build on top of this for the next games.”

In the first set, Syracuse blocked and dug as many balls from Penn State as it could. Each time the crowd erupted and inactive middle blocker Santita Ebangwese punched the air while standing on the sideline, waving her arms back and forth unable to hold the emotion of each moment in.

However, as much as the seven-time national champions bent, the Nittany Lions did not break.

After winning the first set 25-22, Penn State became more dominant as the game wore on. It won the second set 25-17 and won in convincing fashion in the third set by a score of 25-12.

Penn State adjusted its game to a more basic approach to counteract Syracuse’s aggressive defense. Instead of constantly trying to smash the ball, Penn State focused on well-timed lobs and drop shots to open areas before returning to spikes when Syracuse’s defense began to tire.

“I think that we got out-techniqued a little bit,” Weaver said. “They were more refined and they knew what to do in these situations.”

Weaver said that the team would use Penn State’s adjustments as a blueprint.

“They’ve been (in these situations),” Weaver said. “We need to take (our mistakes) and learn from that and act like we’ve been there before.”