Syracuse volleyball falls to Iowa State, 3-0, for worst start since 1987

Syracuse’s poor start to the season continued Saturday as the Orange (0-4) lost in three straight sets to Iowa State (3-2) in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Orange failed to win a set for the second straight contest and has won only two sets through four games this year.

SU is off to its worst start since 1987, when the team lost its first five games of the year.

The Orange won the first point of the first set and was able to get ahead 5-4. But then Iowa State scored eight of the next nine points to take a commanding lead it would never give up. The Cyclones won the first set 25-14.

The second set was much of the same. Iowa State pulled away and eventually won nine of the final 12 points to win the set 25-15.

Syracuse’s closest chance at a set victory came in the final one of the game. SU was able to tie the set at 12 and pull within two to cut Iowa State’s lead to 23-21. The Cyclones scored the next two points to end the game.

The Orange was out-killed 48-23 and had a poor hitting percentage of 3.1 percent.

Libero Belle Sand made the 2016 Nebraska Invite All-Tournament Team. Anastasiya Gorelina led the team with 10 kills and Santita Ebangwese led the team with five blocks on Saturday.

Syracuse will look for its first win of the season as it returns to the Women’s Building to host the Syracuse Tournament on Sept. 9-10 against Hofstra, Siena and Penn State.