Syracuse beats Louisville for first time in program history

Syracuse upset No. 15 Louisville on Friday, ending the regular season on a three-match win streak. The Orange broke the Cardinals’ (24-6, 18-2 Atlantic Coast) 20-match all-time win streak against SU in three sets.

Syracuse head coach Leonid Yelin got his first win against U of L, where he used to coach, since leaving. On senior night, seniors Nicolette Serratore and Silvi Uattara both tallied 13 kills to lead SU (23-8, 14-6).

Lousville, who came into the match with only one loss in the ACC, was out-blocked by Syracuse, 12-6. The Orange has been led all season by Leah Levert, but found an additional boost in setter Gosia Wlaszczuk, who led the team in both blocks (seven) and assists (30).

Lousville’s previous loss came to No. 22 North Carolina. By beating U of L, SU was able to capture its first win over a ranked opponent since 2012 when the Orange defeated then-No. 18 Iowa State.

In SU’s first set against the Cardinals, U of  L led for most of the set. SU led 2-1 early on but didn’t take the lead again until the set reached a score of 23-22. The Orange went on to win the set 25-23, winning five of the last six points.

The second set was much of the same. It was close for the majority of the set, but the Orange took control in the middle of the set, winning seven of nine points to take an 18-14 lead. Louisville was never able to retake the lead, getting as close as 23-22. SU took the set, 25-22.

Syracuse, who won six three-set matches this season entering Friday, went on a commanding 8-0 run in the third set, taking a 17-6 lead. Once the Orange took a 14-6 lead, U of L never came closer than eight points and lost the set, 25-15.

The win puts SU in fourth place in the ACC. Last season, the top four teams in the ACC all made the NCAA tournament.